The Courageous Leaders Podcast

Miranda Hipwell, CEO adamandeveDDB shares her leadership insights on building trust through consistency, empowering teams to elevate performance and her perseverance through setbacks, leading to career growth. We Cover: 05:02 – Building trust through consistent actions over time07:22 – Creating inclusive spaces where every voice matters10:36 – Flexibility and fresh perspectives help creatives thrive15:00 – A zigzag career path can still lead to success16:43 – Growth comes from persevering through setbacks21:41 – Active listening is key in meetings23:32 – Returning from time off and feeling overwhelmed by all the new information26:54 – Leadership roles feel more accessible and relatable34:38 – Strengthening the team by recognising talent within37:08 – Inspiring positive work through optimism39:37 – Putting clients’ needs first improves business42:30 – Resilience means being real and facing issues head-onDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

This week, we are joined by Sam Budd, Founder and CEO of Buddy Media Group, for one of the most courageous conversations yet on the podcast. Sam opens up about his personal battles with self-worth, navigating life when everything seemed lost, and the remarkable journey from rock bottom to leading an award-winning media company. This is an unfiltered, raw discussion about being at the height of success at Social Chain with Steven Bartlett and Dominic McGregor to losing it all and having to start again.  We Cover: 04:49 – From having it all to feeling worthless and like a failure after losing everything overnight08:03 – Challenging the status quo: How being a maverick drives reflection and disruption11:38 – Starting a business while in debt and figuring it all out along the way14:19 – Leading with ADHD and feeling the need to prove yourself15:40 – Building an inner fire or sheer resilience, tenacity and drive16:54 – How you can change your outcomes using coping strategies20:37 – How to manage stress and focus on how you want to show up for your people24:16 – Being very careful in how you talk to yourself to manage self-worth28:40 – Surround yourself with people who hold a mirror up and remind you of who you are29:59 – The role of courage, trust, and community in building connections and protection35:03 – How stabilising the business and driving future milestones is a constant challenge37:30 – The challenge of taking a day off and why I haven't40:08 – How a powerful iNews article helped spread my message43:27 – Understanding your purpose as a key to finding deep fulfilmentDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Tricia Brouk is an international award-winning director, bestselling author, executive producer, and founder of The Big Talk Academy.Tricia shares the significance of using one's voice courageously, overcoming common fears, and the incredible ripple effects of kindness even in the smallest interactionsAs an expert in communication, Tricia’s insightful perspectives on leadership, impermanence, and the power of presence are not to be missed.We Cover: 03:29 – How being a dancer taught discipline, empathy, and leadership06:13 – The difference between kindness and being nice in leadership09:20 – Embracing life’s impermanence by leading with love and awareness10:38 - The skill of becoming aware of your awareness12.02 - Removing the excuses of being 'too busy'15:27 – Using your voice responsibly to influence and impact others16:57 –How to communicate to make people feel seen and heard21:42 – Speaking to serve others, not from personal trauma24:13 – How to be in control of the outcome as a speaker27:03 - What Buddhist practices can bring to leadership30:10 –The art of being more conscious in our interactions to create impactDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Azania Stewart - former Team GB Olympic basketball player and international sports commentator. In this candid conversation, Azania shares the importance of preparation, discipline, and navigating the rigorous demands of professional sports and the corporate world. Learn how she maintained her competitive edge while fostering healthy personal relationships, and why she advocates for a balanced approach to work and life to prevent burnout.We Cover: 05:09 – How self-belief and commitment drives success06:36 – Ditching the 5-year goals and focusing on in-the-moment progress13:08 – The sacrifices made to succeed in sport14:11 – Success requires going beyond a strict work-life balance and putting in the extra effort15:03 - The 5 P's - Preparation prevents piss poor performance16:09 – Don't let your job kill you, remember you are quickly replaced20:26 – In your twenties, focus on work. In your thirties, learn to separate your professional life from your personal one24:18 – Great leaders understand their team’s unique styles and adapt their approach without losing their authenticity28:46 – Coming out of retirement and remembering loving being a leader and winning32:02 – Experience is valuable, but it’s important to stay open to new ideas and learn from the younger generation36:43 – The challenge of transitioning from athlete to commentator 40:21 – Saying "no" helps prioritise personal commitmentsDon’t miss out on this powerful episode. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Claire Hynes, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. President takes us through her journey of leaving a secure job to launch her own business after returning from maternity leave. Claire shares how the company had early success and then hit unforeseen challenges that forced her team to rebuild. We cover: 03:53 – Why Getting too comfortable with one big client can limit your business growth06:18 – Coming back from a huge setback and having to rebuild from scratch11:21 – How supporting a positive attitude pushes momentum and avoids negativity12:45 –The importance of not taking it all on your shoulders and leaning into the team16:11 – How to work well as a leadership team20:06 – How to use the challenges to grow yourself, the team and the business22:23 -  Getting comfortable with change26:20 – Don't let others influence you in a direction you don't want to go30:15 – Letting go of rigid job descriptions and embracing flexibility32:42 –How our culture has driven our success 36:52 – Learning to enjoy the present and stress less about the future38:51 – Embracing freedom: The transition from employee to business ownerDive into this episode to learn how Clare's commitment to culture, creativity, and joy has shaped Mister President and her unique approach to leadership👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Jon Evans, Chief Customer Officer at System1 and Host of The Uncensored CMO podcast, shares how failure has led to his biggest successes and how being tasked with doing something that was never done before was one of the most frightening things in his life. We Cover: 05:05 – The lonely and risky leap into entrepreneurship06:55 – How Adam Morgan’s book "Eat Big Fish" helped Jon embrace challenges11:13 – Turning failures into the biggest career breakthroughs12:56 – Battling corporate focus on Image vs. Reality16:14 – Thriving under pressure: How confidence grows from failure20:53 – Making hard decisions 22:36 – The challenge of saying no and asking for help28:36 – Why VCs value failure as part of feeling confident to invest in you29:48 – The importance of bouncing back from failure34:32 – Navigating uncertainty and constant pressure in freelance work35:36 – How building a CMO network led to a full-time role40:51 – How success exposes you to criticism and negativity44:47 – Supporting senior marketing executives through isolation48:11 – Jon’s biggest regret: Why you should pursue your goals earlier52:11 – How trust alone can lead to six-figure investments54:22 – Building relationships that pay off, like compound interest56:23 – The support system that ensures consistent successDon’t miss out on this thought-provoking episode.👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Jabari Hearn, Managing Partner at AKQA LA and former Global Marketing Director at Google, shares life-changing insights on leading on your terms that you won't want to miss.We cover: 05:28 – The key differences between marketing in big tech vs consumer goods.08:21 – Why finding purpose in your work is essential for personal fulfillment.10:23 – Why the right work environment can unlock your true potential.14:15 – The hidden drawbacks of chasing a CMO role.17:45 – Leadership is about creating a vision that inspires your team.20:45 – How great leadership helps people reach their full potential.25:51 – Building community through mentorship and why it matters for business growth.27:17 – Starting a mentorship program to support minorities during the pandemic.30:52 – Why self-discovery is the foundation of every great leader’s journey.33:26 – A message of gratitude for creating a platform for leadership growth.Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking episode. You'll walk away with a better understanding of how to distinguish between ego and instinct, and why creating the right environment for yourself and others is important for growth and happiness. 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

In this episode Jo Howes talks about the critical difference between being liked and being respected as a leader, a topic that sparked significant discussion following her recent LinkedIn post. Drawing from personal experiences and frameworks such as John Maxwell's five levels of leadership, Jo offers valuable insights on why respect is important in leadership. She also addresses the challenges many leaders face in making tough decisions without compromising compassion and empathy.Video Chapters:01:06 - The Importance of Leadership Respect 03:01 - The Power of Honest Feedback 03:18 - John Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership 04:14 - The Leadership Challenge 05:15 - The Threats of a Too-Nice Work Culture 06:08 - The Importance of Compassion and Empathy in Leadership 06:41 - Compassionate Leadership and DISC Profiles 09:39 - The Right Thing To Do As A Leader 10:18 - The Essentials of Leadership 👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Claire Hollands, CEO of Mullen Lowe.Claire passionately discusses the importance of flexible working and her tips on how to achieve this personally and across a business. Claire also openly discusses the challenging transition from being at AMV for 14 years, managing a department of 140 people, to becoming CEO at Mullen Lowe during COVID.We cover: 00:00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guest Claire Holland00:01:42 The courage to listen to instinct and leave Med School without a plan00:03:30 Letting go of the need to prove yourself00:06:20 Becoming a leader of 140 people at AMV00:09:00 The emotions of running a big department. Providing support but recognising you can't solve all the problems00:10.05 The challenges of the expectations of leaders today 00:12:30 Having the right leadership team around you00:18.46 Leaving AMV not how she thought she would00:17.05 The key learnings moving into a new agency00:21.28 Challenging transition to Mullen Lowe through COVID00:22.28 Batted with public speaking and overcoming this 00:25.51 Discussion on the perception of older professionals and the need for their expertise00:29:27 Adapting leadership styles to accommodate multiple generations in the workplace00:31:38 Remembering it’s a marathon not a sprint👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

In this episode, we sit down with James Hayhurst, the visionary founder of The Magic Sauce Programme. He shares how his experience working in both agency and client-side led him to create The Magic Sauce to help agencies and clients foster stronger relationships. He reveals the powerful role that anger played in leading him to establish The Parents Promise, a mission close to his heart. Join us as we delve into James Hayhurst’s courageous career moves, his commitment to making a difference, and the wisdom he’s gained along the way.If you are a parent who has been through a separation or an educational professional, please click here to participate in the 2025 Education Project Survey.📊 https://theparentspromise.org.uk/?check=true🌐Parents Promise website - https://theparentspromise.org.uk/🌐Magic Sauce website - https://magicsaucecourse.co.uk/Video Chapters:06:17 The difference between how Agencies and Clients judge success09:52 Clients and the Agency side need psychological safety12:11 The difference of working client-side16:00 Setting up the Parents Promise and why18:39 Parents need to talk about what we do if we separate 20:53 How anger can drive action and change24:45 Launching The Magic Sauce29:30 How healthy relationships allow constructive challenges and accountability32:41 Imposter Syndrome or Perfectionist Syndrome.👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ → Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice. 👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54