I Shouldn't Say This, But

This week I'm catching you up on one of the biggest moments of my year so far! Recording BBC Radio 4's The Bottom Line with Evan Davis, Andy Ransom (former CEO of Rentokil) and imposter syndrome expert Dr Valerie Young.The topic? Imposter syndrome, my specialist subject. Except the moment I found out a million people would be tuning in, my own imposter syndrome decided to show up in spectacular fashion. The irony wasn't lost on me.In this solo episode, I'm sharing: 

This week I'm joined by Pav, CEO of We Are The Allies, the incredible agency behind this podcast, and it's one of the best founding stories I've heard.Pav's career started in the accounts department of a Leeds agency (she didn't even have the GCSEs for it) and took her through the marketing departments of Morrisons, Poundland and Co-op before she finally went out on her own. But the real spark came from her husband Rick, a freelance creative director who went nine months without being paid on a major campaign. That injustice became the founding brief for Creative Allies, sketched out on the back of a napkin, literally.Seven years on, that napkin sketch is a network of 500 vetted freelancers across 46 creative categories, working with 400+ agencies and clients. We talk about how they built trust at scale (480 interviews before they'd take on 135 people), why freelancers deserve to be paid in 14 days not 9 months, their work opening doors for next-gen talent through Channel 4's Content Creatives programme, and what's next as they build out an AI division.It's a brilliant listen if you've ever wondered what happens when someone gets properly, righteously annoyed on someone else's behalf and turns it into a business.

Why You're Exhausted, Foggy and Under-Fuelled (And What To Do About It) | Jade Reilly, NHS DietitianIn this episode I sit down with Jade Reilly, a registered dietitian of over a decade with the NHS, personal trainer, Pilates teacher, and On running ambassador, to talk about what it actually takes to fuel a body that's trying to build a business, train like an athlete, and show up for everyone else, all at once.We get into why most of us are chronically under-fuelled without even realising it, why "hustle culture" was never built with women's hormones in mind, and what fasting actually does to female bodies (spoiler: the research nobody talks about). Jade also shares her own experience of burnout and losing her period, and why she believes eating shouldn't be about restriction, it should be about performance.We finish with a supplement quick-fire round where Jade rates everything from vitamin D to greens powders, and tells us honestly what's worth your money and what isn't.If you've ever skipped breakfast to get out the door, felt guilty about "not eating clean enough," or wondered why your brain feels foggy by 2pm, this episode is for you.In this episode: Why so many busy women are under-fuelled, not overeating Why fat is essential, not the enemy The truth about fasting and female hormones Hustle culture, built for a 24-hour hormone cycle that isn't ours Jade's honest supplement rankings, what's worth it, what isn't The question that changed how I think about food: who is the healthiest version of you?

She's had death threats over hair. She won't stop.In this episode of I Shouldn't Say This But, Katy Leeson sits down with hairdresser, turned-content-creator Sarah (SLK), 21 years in the industry, founder of Host Manchester, and one of the most followed voices in UK hairdressing.Sarah opens up about the reality behind the highlight reel: the trolling, the violent threats, the message that made her want to quit for good (and the one message that made her stay). She shares how a holiday in Portugal changed the entire direction of her career, how a single webinar generated £150k in two days, and why she still gets imposter syndrome every single time she tries something new (including teaching on the other side of the world).We also get into the post that nearly broke the internet, "I'm a hairdresser, not a therapist" and why Sarah stood by it even when the backlash was brutal.In this episode: Building a personal brand from nothing (and why substance beats strategy every time) The 11 income streams that changed Sarah's life Dealing with trolls, hate and death threats online Why imposter syndrome never fully goes away — and why that's a good sign The truth about hairdressers as unofficial therapists Scaling from salon chair to Host Manchester and teaching internationally in Australia Sobriety, self-discovery, and finding your voice online This one's honest, it's funny, it's got a fair bit of swearing — and it might just change how you think about showing up online.

Consider this your invitation to pull up a chair at Mollies and have a proper catch-up with me, because that's exactly what this episode is.It's been a whirlwind few weeks. I'm talking talks, coaching sessions that made me genuinely emotional, a fitness competition that nearly finished me off (but also proved what this body is capable of, 100kg deadlift?!), and a business that finally feels like it's moving the way I always knew it could.But this one isn't just about work. We get into the stuff that fills your cup back up, gratitude practices, Fozzie walks, Love Island, and why I will always choose dancing on a chair over monitoring my sleep score. Life is for living, and I refuse to optimise the joy out of it.I also share a question from a talk that completely stopped me in my tracks and sent me down a whole new rabbit hole around imposter syndrome, not just how you experience it, but how to spot it in the people you lead.If you've ever felt like you needed permission to be brilliant at work and a little bit silly at the weekend, this is the episode for you.

Your Impostor Syndrome Isn't Going Away. Here's Why That's Actually Good News.Imposter syndrome gets talked about like it's a beginner's problem, something you grow out of as your career matures. Katy's here to tell you that's not how it works.After 20 years in leadership, scaling businesses, sitting in boardrooms and speaking to thousands of people on stage, she still has weeks where she questions everything. And she's not alone. 78% of UK business leaders and 80% of MDs admit to feeling out of their depth, they're just not saying it out loud.This episode isn't for people just starting out. It's for experienced leaders who've already proved themselves and are still quietly wondering if today's the day someone finds them out.Katy shares how being made MD of Social Chain at 32 (six months into the role) brought her impostor syndrome crashing to the surface, what working with a therapist taught her about the stereotype she was unconsciously leading from, and why the impostor never fully disappears, no matter how much you achieve.But here's the reframe: what if it's not supposed to? What if your impostor syndrome isn't a flaw to fix, but a signal to follow?In this episode: The three ways impostor syndrome shows up in experienced leaders (and why we dress it up as high standards) Why your impostor is actually a growth indicator in disguise The "boost folder" technique that takes five minutes and changes everything How to close the gap between the leader you think you should be and the leader you actually are You're not on your own. And you never were.

In this episode I sit down with Kelly Tucker, Founder of HR Star, for a conversation every founder and leader needs to hear.We get into why your people are your biggest P&L line but probably get the least attention, the subscription model of work, Gen Z expectations, hybrid working, new employment law changes, and what it actually takes to build a culture that delivers.If you are growing, hiring, or trying to hold onto your best people, this one is for you.I Shouldn't Say This, But is hosted by Katy LeesonRecorded at Mollies, ManchesterProudly sponsored by We Are The AlliesProduced by The ClubSubscribe so you don't miss an episode and follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram at Katy Leeson.

After four years away, I'm back!In this first episode, I'm taking it right back to the beginning, from press buyer to managing director of Social Chain, growing the agency from 30 to 130 people and 650% revenue growth, to working alongside Gary Neville, and now returning with a brand new chapter of I Shouldn't Say This, But.I talk about how the podcast was born out of a need to build a personal brand authentically, why I stepped away, and what the last four years of personal growth, coaching, consultancy, and speaking have taught me about leadership, values, and knowing yourself.This season I'll be sitting down with some of the biggest brands and leaders in the world, diving into AI, HR, finance, leadership challenges, and what really goes on behind the scenes of the fastest growing businesses.Get ready because I'm back and I'm so excited!I Shouldn't Say This, But is hosted by Katy LeesonRecorded at Mollies, ManchesterProudly sponsored by We Are The AlliesProduction by The Club ManchesterSubscribe so you don't miss an episode and leave a review if you enjoyed it, it helps more people find the show.Follow me:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/katyleesonInstagram: @katyleeson

I Shouldn't Say This But is back, and I've got a lot to say and share.I'm Katy Leeson, former MD of Social Chain, founder of Courageous, and I'm bringing back one of the UK's top-ranked business podcasts with a clear mission: to help leaders and founders scale without losing their people or themselves.No fluff. No performance. Just the stuff most of us won't say out loud.Hit follow and get ready, new episodes are on their way.

I Shouldn't Say This, But … this podcast has taught my more than I could have ever imagined. And this episode is going to be my last. At least for a while. When I started the podcast 4 years ago, I couldn't have imagined the journey it would take me on, the conversations it would generate or the relationships it would help me foster. Steven Bartlett had tasked me with creating a brand for myself, and I was determined to give it purpose beyond simply being a KPI. As I sat down to record this episode, I knew that goal had been achieved. So I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. And I hope it gives you an insight into why I do this, and I what I want to do next. As always, thank you for listening.

Natalie Wills is the Global Director of Marketing at Zalando and a fellow advocate for the power of social media for good. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of authenticity online  - Why we are all influencers  - What we can learn from the way young people use social media  - The importance of leading with your values - Zalando's approach of casting diversity of influencer talent and talent whose values resonate with their own - The way social media is driving transparency in the real world Natalie: https://www.instagram.com/nattiw1/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliealisonwills/ Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Matt and Giles founded Sculpd alongside their business partner Guy Vero at the peak of Lockdown, and have since sold over 100,000 at-home pottery kits. Beyond that, they've built partnerships with some of the most influential brands in the UK, including Bloom & Wild, Missoma and Papier. In this episode, we discuss: - The challenges that come with building a business in Lockdown
 - The role of social media in the formation of the Sculpd community
 - The importance of finding joy in your work
 Matt and Giles: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mattclements1 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilesharrison2/?originalSubdomain=uk https://sculpd.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/sculpdit/?hl=en Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Daisy is the person behind The Selfhood - who makes digital interactions feel more human and puts connectivity at the heart of content strategies for brands and their audiences. She birthed The Selfhood after noticing a huge gap in the market for business owners and creatives to understand social media and digital marketing in a fun, human and relatable way after spending years in the jargon filled world of ad agencies. In this episode we discuss: -The role of social media in creating change. -The balancing act of finding a space to rest as a content creator. -The importance of building community as people are desperate to feel part of something. Daisy: https://www.instagram.com/the_self_hood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisy-morris-52742393/ https://www.theselfhood.com/about-the-founder Me: https://www.instagram.com/katyleeson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53/ https://twitter.com/KatyLeeson

James Routledge co-founded Sanctus -  a purpose-driven organisation that supports employee mental health through proactive and preventative one-to-one coaching in the workplace.  He is also the author behind ‘Mental Health at Work' - a book filled with stories, learnings and guidance for anyone on their mental health in the workplace journey. In this episode, we discuss: * The culture of permission arising around mental health * Social media as a force for good in the mental health fight  * Why rest doesn't only mean sleep James: https://www.instagram.com/jamesroutledge_/ https://www.instagram.com/jdroutledge/ https://twitter.com/jd_routledge Sanctus: https://www.instagram.com/sanctus/ Me: https://www.instagram.com/katyleeson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53/ https://twitter.com/KatyLeeson

Chloe Brotheridge is an Anxiety Hypnotherapist, Coach, Podcast Host and Author who is dedicated to helping women free themselves from anxiety.  In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of distinguishing your dream from the one's being pushed by other people - Tips for a more purposeful and positive social media experience - How we can combat our inner critics Chloe: https://www.instagram.com/chloebrotheridge/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CBrotheridge?s=20 https://calmer-you.com/free https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chloe-Brotheridge/e/B01MZEC2LL%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Gina is an activist, author and artist who uses her platforms to encourage real-world change. In this episode, we discuss: - The uncomfortable reality of activism - The intersection of social media and activism
 - The importance of setting work/life boundaries - The changes social media companies need to start making - Young people's relationship with social media Gina: https://www.instagram.com/ginamartin/?hl=en https://twitter.com/ginamartinuk?s=20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K_n-x-W7pY https://www.waterstones.com/book/be-the-change/gina-martin/9780751577891 Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Jay Flynn founded the Virtual Pub Quiz back at the start of the pandemic, and is living proof of the power of social media to be used for good. In this episode, we discuss: - Jay's incredible journey from pub landlord to household name (and the social media mistake that started it all) - The challenges that have arisen as a result of digital stardom - The impact of the Virtual Pub Quiz on Jay's life - The positive potential of social media Jay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcSqjJWHJeDWD_SbdorBRw https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jays-Virtual-Pub-Quiz-Book/dp/1913406407 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jays-Virtual-Pub-Quiz-2/dp/1913406776/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1913406776&psc=1 https://www.instagram.com/thevirtualpubquiz/?hl=en Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Anna Codrea-Rado is a journalist, author and podcaster whose article ‘Do I have Productivity Dysmorphia?' has changed they way both I and so many others view our achievements. In this episode, we discuss:  * The impact social media is having on our view of success  * The importance of finding joy in our free time * The productivity dysmorphia trap And so, so much more. Anna: https://www.instagram.com/annacod/?hl=en https://twitter.com/annacod?s=20 https://www.linkedin.com/in/annacodrearado/?originalSubdomain=uk https://www.annacodrearado.com/podcast https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2021/09/10640493/what-is-productivity-dysmorphia https://linktr.ee/yourethebusiness Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Ash is the Founder of personal branding agency Great Influence, and part of Social Chain's founding team. The man behind the personal brands of the likes of Steven Bartlett and Julian Hearn, his experience and knowledge of social media as a tool for good is second to none. In this episode, we discuss: - The value in personal branding
 - The social media shift we've seen over the past decade - The life shift that comes with taking on a leadership role
 Ash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-jones-85363975/ https://greatinfluence.co.uk Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Lucy Sheridan is the world's first and only comparison coach, using her work and the online community she has built to to empower others into live comparison free lives.  In this episode, we discuss: - The role social media plays in fuelling comparison culture - The importance of getting to know your values - Defining your own success - Why leaders need to be conscious of the energy they bring - How social media can be used to overcome comparison culture Lucy: https://www.instagram.com/lucysheridan/?hl=en http://www.proofcoaching.com/about-lucy https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comparison-Cure-Lucy-Sheridan/dp/1409191214 Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Seyi Akiwowo is an absolute powerhouse. Through her charity Glitch, she is working hard to create a kinder, safer, more robust digital sphere. In turn, Seyi is empowering people to advocate for others whilst raising a generation of digital citizens who will carry these lessons into the future. In this episode, we discuss: - The online space as a continuation of our offline realities - The duty of care platforms owe to their users - The inadequacy of the Online Safety Bill - The concept of digital citizenship - The importance of digital self-care - Why we're all recovering dickheads Seyi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seyiakiwowo/ https://www.instagram.com/seyiakiwowo/?hl=en https://twitter.com/seyiakiwowo?s=20 https://seyiakiwowo.com https://glitchcharity.co.uk/about/ Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

There's no social media presence more authentic than Gary Neville's. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of Footballers having an authentic social media presence  - THAT Manchester United interview - His hopes for the digital world his daughters are growing up in - Where the curriculum is failing young people - Why the Glazer family are a threat to the soul of Football I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Gary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-neville-036502211/ https://twitter.com/GNev2?s=20 https://www.instagram.com/gneville2/ Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Alex Holmes has dedicated his career to making both schools and the digital sphere a safe space for young people. Deputy CEO at the Diana Award and advisor to the likes of TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Alex's knowledge of social media and the issues facing young people today is second to none. In this episode, we discuss: - The power and legacy of young people today - What social media companies are doing to fight the rise in online abuse - and what they aren't - Whether the issue of online abuse is a digital problem or the continuation of a real-world problem - Why it's time to cancel, cancel culture Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abcholmes/ https://twitter.com/abcholmes?s=20 https://instagram.com/abcholmes?utm_medium=copy_link Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Tiwalola Ogunlesi is using her platform to fight the generation cycle of low self-esteem, making sure that this generation of women and girls grow to be the most confident yet. In this episode, we discuss: - How to harness the power of you - Tips for improving your self-confidence, combatting imposter syndrome and getting to grips with your self-worth - How social media can be used to create communities of empowerment - Tiwa's business - Confident and Killing It Tiwa: https://instagram.com/tiwalowla?utm_medium=copy_link https://instagram.com/confidentandkillingit?utm_medium=copy_link http://confidentandkillingit.com/ig-cki https://open.spotify.com/show/20Brb9BbmjLAv7L3SpS4Hc?si=ATdhMh2oRaOHrqeZKpc_WQ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/confident-and-killing-it-podcast/id1509409221 Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

I Shouldn't Say This, But … Season 5 is coming VERY soon. With each episode featuring a brand new guest, it's set to be our biggest and best yet! I can't wait to share the first one.

In this week's episode, I talk to the wonderful Elizabeth Ogabi about the realities of creating your own side hustle, the significance of long-term vision in setting work/life boundaries and her fantastic new book ‘Side Hustle in Progress: A Practical Guide to Kickstarting Your Business.' It was really interesting to get the other side of the debate when it comes to role side hustles play in the glamourisation of overwork and it was great to hear Elizabeth's perspective!

In this week's episode, I dive into the realities of leadership. I talk about the difficulties that come with leading a team through a pandemic, the silent struggle of perfection and the pressure I personally feel to deliver for my team. There is a false sense of expertise surrounding leadership roles and it is a huge contributing factor to the problems we face when we enter into them. It's time we talked openly about this.

In this week's episode, I speak to the brilliant Rachel Carrell, founder of Koru Kids. We have a really candid conversation about the realities of living with chronic pain and the desire people have to hide their struggles. We also dive into Rachel's fantastic business, looking at childcare as a people issue, not just a women's issue, in addition to the importance of setting boundaries when working on something you're passionate about.

In this week's episode, I dive into the positive side of social platforms. There are some obvious issues that need to be addressed across them all. Namely issues of trolling and abuse, which need to be dealt with quickly and with severity. But I'm not sure that it's productive to let these issues dominate the conversation. I explore the idea that to want to make social media a more positive place, we need to highlight all the good that it facilitates, as well diving into the ways in which we can teach young people to use it well.

In this week's episode, I speak to the fantastic Jamie Crummie; co-founder and director of the amazing Too Good To Go. We talk about everything from the value in detaching yourself from your ego when building a business and team, to the role of education in changing the culture of food waste in the UK and being proactive in your passions and the issues you wish to resolve. Jamie also shares some brilliant insights into what we can be doing to help reduce our own food waste.

In this week's episode, I take a look at the way our brains change as we move into adulthood, and the impact this has on our creativity. I talk about my own experience of this and the way this change is mirrored as we move up in our careers. I also raise some big questions, like can you move forward in your career without becoming a manager? Do we have to sacrifice our creativity as we move through the ranks?

In this week's episode, I speak to the fabulous Emma Heal; Managing Director of alcohol free brand, Lucky Saint. We talk about her incredible career history, the importance of fitting your own life jacket first and how Emma perceives the role of Managing Director. We also take a look at why “I'm not drinking tonight” is becoming a more accepted stance. Get £10 off your first order of any single case of 12 (or larger) at luckysaint.co with the code SOCIALCHAIN 

In this episode, I talk candidly about my experience with situational depression and the journey I've been on with anti-depressants. I discuss how it felt first being prescribed them, right through to how it feels now that I'm coming off them, as well as the importance of doing so effectively. The past two years have been hard, but I'm coming out the other side a much better person.

Cate Sevilla is my spirit animal. In this episode we talk about Cate's journey through huge companies, including Google, and how she came to write her incredible book, ‘How to Work Without Losing Your Mind'. We touch on the role that companies play in supporting us, and why it might not be what you think, alongside the right way to raise issues with your manager and what our work identities really mean. 

In this episode I talk to High Performance Expert & Psychiatrist, Dr T. We start this amazing conversation with WHY - why we’re both invested in preventing burnout and helping deal with crisis’. We also talk about how we both deal with being people pleasers but the positives this has brought to both our lives. Finally, we look at how restriction, change, uncertainty and threat can impact our emotions and the profound effect the past year has had on all of us. If you want some tips about how to move on from the past year, this is the episode for you. 

In this episode I speak to the wonderful Tessa Clarke from OLIO - an app that exists to prevent food waste by connecting people. We have a very honest conversation about what it was like raising millions in investment for the business as a woman, we explore how important having a diverse business is and what it’s really like being a startup founder with a family behind the scenes. Tessa also leaves us with some important advice. 

The office vs WFH debate continues. In this episode, I talk about which companies are in which camp when it comes to where and how they want to work. I also talk about what model we’re looking to implement at Social Chain but why, in reality, everyone’s working model should be different. We’re joined again by our podcast therapist, Karen, and we discuss the impact that WFH has truly had on our mental health and, for those that need it, how to switch back to office mode. 

If you're looking for some guidance on your own personal development, this is the episode for you. This week's podcast is with the amazing @Alice ter Haar and Alice shares an amazing realisation - what she thought she wanted wasn't ACTUALLY what she wanted, and how she built her business, Badass Unicorn, because of it. We unpack her career journey and why understanding your values is key to where you want to get in the future. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

There are over 100 million #goodvibes posts on Instagram alone. But how much positivity is too much? We’re often met with ‘everything will be fine’ and ‘it could be worse’ when we express feelings of sadness, but sometimes this has the opposite of a positive effect. Joined by our podcast therapist, Karen, we dive into the impact that toxic positivity can have on us and our mental health and exactly what we can do about it.

I’m rubbish at setting boundaries outside of work. Inside work, I find myself setting boundaries all the time. In this episode, I talk about why boundaries are so important in BOTH settings. I unpack the role that boundaries play in protecting our mental health and share my experiences and mishaps with setting boundaries for myself. Karen, our podcast therapist, also helps us to understand our boundaries when it comes to social media and exactly what to do if someone crosses our boundaries. 

Self-promotion. It’s not an easy thing to do. We all struggle with it. But how do we overcome that fear of putting ourselves out there? That’s exactly what we discuss in this episode. Stefanie has an impressive and interesting history and shares with us why she’s done with tiptoeing around talking about success. We cover everything from the reason why not everyone needs a side hustle, to understanding why our emotions are triggered when we someone else sharing their achievements online. If you’ve got the Fear of Sounding Stupid, this is the episode for you. 

This is an episode of self-reflection. I look back over the past year since the first lockdown began and talk about the whirlwind that’s happened since then. Everything from coping with living on my own, to hugging my mum for the first time. From lockdown relationships, to navigating a business through this absolute whirlwind of a year. I also speak to our podcast therapist, Karen, and she gives us some wonderful tips for those who might be feeling uncertain about how to adjust to life in the future. If you’re feeling a little anxious about what happens now, then this is the episode for you. 

This is an episode that you don’t want to miss. I am joined by one of the most interesting guests, Hector Hughes. Hector is co-founder of Unplugged, a business that’s focused entirely around digital detoxes at cabins in the countryside, allowing you to fall completely off the grid. No phones, no screens, no social media…In this episode, we talk all about a real range of topics. Everything from, what prompted Hector to do a 2-week silent retreat in the Himalayas to how we can promote a more unplugged workplace culture. We also hear the best Zoom tip I’ve heard in the past 12 months. If you’ve been struggling with screen time over the past few months, then this is an episode for you.

Those in leadership positions take on the responsibility of running a business and turning into a success, but often a large portion of hidden responsibility comes with it. One of the most prevalent topics at the moment is being an empathetic leader BUT who is there to help the ones who help others? I’ll be talking about my own experiences with this and having care as one of my core leadership values. Our podcast therapist Karen is also back this week, and she hits me with some real home truths.  If you're looking for some tips on how to look after yourself a little better as a leader, this episode is for you.

On this week’s episode, I’m joined by Harriet O’Regan - the Category Director at Arla Foods, the largest producer of dairy products in Scandinavia. We talk about everything from Harriet’s feelings towards working within the organic industry, to what it was like as the first working mom on the team at Arla and how she’s coped with homeschooling during lockdown. Harriet’s admission submission at the end of the episode is also one of the most sincere I think we’ve ever had. If you want to hear about an amazing career at a huge, global company and how to balance that with having dinner with the kids every night, then this is the episode for you. 

This week’s podcast episode is all about comparison - something I’m sure many of us have struggled with at some point in our lives. In this episode, I really wanted to uncover exactly why we do it and also how to stop it. I also talk about my own experience with comparison and about how it caused one of the most difficult periods of my life.  Our own podcast therapist, Karen, also talks us through a great exercise to help us stop comparing ourself to others and to understand exactly why we compare ourselves. If you’ve been struggling with comparison over lockdown, this episode is for you. 

This week we sit down with Laura from the UK’s leading independent store for kids, The Modern Nursery. We talk about everything from how Laura started the company when she fell pregnant after a successful career in high fashion, how important influencers have been to the success of the business, to navigating working from home whilst homeschooling at the same time. If you want to learn about an amazing female founder running a successful business, this episode is for you.

Compassion. Something we’ve all heard over and over again in the past few months. On this week’s episode, I wanted to explore compassion a little further. What actually is it? What are the benefits of doing it? How do we get better at it? What’s the importance of self-compassion? These are all questions we dig into this week. I’m also joined by a very special guest, my amazing therapist Karen who helps us explore these points from her expert opinion in a little more detail.

On this week's very special episode of I Shouldn't Say This But, I am joined by 2 great friends Kiera and Aimie from the amazing Feel Good Club.  Feel Good Club is a wonderful mental-health and wellbeing community that has recently opened a cafe based in the Northern Quarter in Manchester. I’ll be talking to them both about how they’ve gotten to where they are today, what it’s been like opening a business during a pandemic and some of the battles the world is now facing with mental health.  They also run an extremely popular Instagram page that provides lovely daily reminders for all their followers about coping with life in the day-to-day and this week they have even taken the streets of Manchester by storm with some amazing billboards to brighten up everyone’s week.  I had a great time recording this episode and I hope you all enjoy it just as much as I did. So without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy this episode of I Shouldn't Say This, But.

We’re back with our first podcast of the year and we’re talking all things New Year’s resolutions; why we make them, why we break them but most importantly…how to keep them. We dive into some of the behavioural science behind how to turn our resolutions into habits, to make them stick. If you’re looking to make a real change this year, then this episode is for you. So without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy this episode of I Shouldn’t Say This, But.

In the final podcast of 2020, we look back over Christmas ads from The Gravy Song, to Tesco’s No Naughty List and we see which brands have got it right and which have definitely got it wrong. After rating my favourite ads, we discuss the fact that Christmas is not easy for everyone. I talk about how I’m approaching this year and some of the ways we can help people who might be struggling. So without further ado, sit back, relax and enjoy this episode of I Shouldn’t Say This, But.