Episodes
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Penny Power is Entrepreneur, Community Builder, Professional Speaker & Author. She Founded Ecademy, the first online business community for business in 1998, for which she was awarded an OBE in 2014. In this conversation, Penny opens up and tell me about the reality behind the glamour. What we never get to see behind the shiny side put forward and why she decided to talk openly about it now.
She tells me the unplanned circumstances that led her to go into business and how an encounter with a young child developed her passion for helping others. She also shares why she and her husband are passionate about building great network of entrepreneurs and how they went from being valued at £22 million pounds to zero with 3 young kids to feed and the surprising lessons learnt from this experience.
She tells me how she realised that the online world was causing isolation and mental health issues and has decided to talk about the hardship of entrepreneurial journey from a mental and emotional point of view.
Penny believes that we should treat one another in business with kindness and create safe places to feel like we can be ourselves.
If you are going through some hardship in your life and feel isolated, this open and honest conversation will re-ignite you and give you food for thought. Now let’s dive in
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
#13 Courage to Live Your Values with Andrew Priestley
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Andrew Priestley is a business leadership coach, entrepreneur, business strategist, speaker, author & publisher. Andrew specialised in helping people build character, professional happiness and fulfilment.
He tells me how he transitioned from being a teacher to become a peak performance coach and the bumpy journey it took to get there. As a psychologist he explains the Science of Well-being and what really make us happy and shares how he became comfortable in his own in skin in his forties.
He also explains that doing meaningful work is actually doing grown-ups work; not adult work. He also shed some light on how super successful people set their priorities and how struggling people have this order backwards.
He provides master tips on how to articulate your value to others and provide a great framework to do so. He provided a lot of peak performance hacks and how it all starts with awareness.
Andrew believes in family values and grounded leadership for a fulfilled life. He gives practical tips to refuel your spirit as well as your body and how to slow down so you can speed up.
You are literally in for a treat in this thought-provoking conversation to do meaningful work and live a meaningful life!
Key points discussed
- Why we aren’t satisfied with our current situation because of the judgement call we make
- Why people are afraid to make a choice in life and the 3 things that need to occur to achieve meaning
- Why we don’t really see things when you're too close to what you're good at,
- Why servant leadership, helping others, making an impact in other people’s lives is a great way to do meaningful work
- How to find the entry point of our wider contribution to the world
- How to perform without putting so much pressure on ourselves
- And much more
Now let’s listen to this insightful conversation with Andrew Priestley
Monday Mar 18, 2019
Monday Mar 18, 2019
Gilles Amadou Acogny is Co-Founder & CEO of Acosphere, a London based firm that delivers consultancy and transformational Training. Gilles manages the company with his wife Nadia Mensah Acogny who was on the show in the episode 11.
Gilles focusses on leadership, general management and vision in the business. He tells me how having clear rules allow them to function well and challenge each other to think outside the box.
He talks about why he decided to leave his high-flying job in sales at Xerox to invest everything into his own business and how he convinced his wife, Nadia, to start the business with him after she initially saying no. We also discussed his previous career and how he became one of the top executives in the companies he worked for and turn them around significantly.
Gilles believes in the transformative power of public speaking and wish he knew this way earlier. You will find this conversation very rich and inspiring as he shares great insights and practical tips to do meaningful work and leave a meaningful life!
Key points discussed
- The impact of his childhood and travels living on three continents and how he developed his sales acumen by understanding cultures and people.
- How the education he received has equipped him to deal with good and bad times and formed his positive character
- The influence of his mentor Addison Barry Rand at Xerox on building his drive and why mentorship can make a difference in the life of others
- How he is being challenged by his teenagers’ kids, helping him to stay relevant in today’s world
- Gilles deconstructs how fear prevents us to do what we really love and what to do about it
- How to speak your truth and not allow other people or organisations to hinder your authenticity
And much more…Now let’s listen to this insightful conversation with Gilles Amadou Acogny.
Monday Mar 11, 2019
Monday Mar 11, 2019
Nadia Mensah-Acogny is co-founder and COO of Acosphere, a journalist and columnist for Forbes Afrique. She edits the annual list of the 100 most influential women in Africa. Nadia is passionate about gender matters and sits on the Advisory Council of the Women in Africa Initiative.
In our conversation, Nadia shares why she decided to leave her job in the realm of power to co-create the consulting firm Acosphere with her husband and offers some insights on how to make it work when working in couple.
She shares how she finally took the time to discover who she was at 50; How her childhood exposed her to different cultures and enabled her to speak 9 languages. Why we should always listen to ourselves but also why it's extremely important to love ourselves.
Nadia believes that we need to dream, dare and be resilient to do meaningful work and live a meaningful life. She wants to be remembered as a catalyst, the person who helps you discover who you are.
Key points discussed
- How and why you should listen to yourself and your ideas and how to go about doing this.
- Why it's extremely important to love ourselves
- How to transform a challenge into an opportunity
- How she and her husband are starting a movement helping people to develop with transformational training
- And much more
Now let’s listen to this insightful conversation with Nadia Mensah-Acogny
Monday Mar 04, 2019
Monday Mar 04, 2019
Jazz Rasool is a Researcher at Ravensbourne College in London, a well-known training centre where the likes of David Bowie or Stella McCartney studied. He is working in advancing the use of Multimedia, Augmented and Virtual Reality in Education.
Jazz is also the creator of Atmascope, a 'Resonance Engine', that enables people to discover their purpose … He began this work with Unilever in 2004, providing a Health & Wellbeing experience for Global Directors during their Rebranding programme.
I’ve known Jazz for more than a decade now, when I’ve learnt his system at the time called Energy Diamond and I was part of a team of coaches to work on hundreds of case studies to help people create momentum in their life. His system merged western and eastern philosophies to uncover deeper Intentions vs interests, Priorities rather than preferences and look at our Being rather than our behaviours. Jazz also provides coaching, mentoring and Executive presentations to stimulate creativity in individuals, teams and organisations.
In our conversation, Jazz shared how he was determined to become an astronaut and ended up studying Mind Body medicine. He also shares how he became homeless and being close to death and what that taught him.
He explains where his deep desire to help people improve their well-being and make a difference come from. He offers a simple yet powerful method to identify what drains us out of energy in life and how to take control to change it - as well as practical steps to turn values into valuables to become successful.
Jazz believes that true compassion helps people discover the truth that brings them life as opposed to disable them!
This conversation is really deep and insightful as I was expecting; anytime I have a conversation with Jazz, I have a new level of understanding and I am sure you will too.
Key points discussed
- The three core elements that bring life to people and a simple exercise to discover your real purpose and keep momentum in your life
- The hard way that he learnt that you can end up failing life if you fail to collaborate with others and why helping others to help each other became the focus of his work.
- How to see money as a resource amongst others and learn to attract the others to create a virtuous circle
- The profound impact that an encounter with a young Syrian refugee in Jordan made on him
- And much more
Now, listen to this insightful conversation with Jazz Rasool
Monday Feb 25, 2019
Monday Feb 25, 2019
Suki Fuller is an Analytical Storyteller, Competitive and Strategic Intelligence expert. She is also a global speaker, advisor and mentor. She is sought for her experience in the early adoption of emergent technologies and ability to translate the quantitative into qualitative insights.
Suki is also an advisor, board member, investor and NED to several startups. She was named one of the 30 Change Makers for London Tech Week 2018 and one of Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK IT 2018 - Five Rising Star.
In our conversation Suki shared how she navigated her way to become the analytical storyteller that she is today helping organisations to make better decision with competitive intelligence. How being fired from a high-flying job was the best thing that happened to her.
Suki believes that we can't tell people what they want to hear but instead tell them the truth! She recommends to look at the morality, the ethics and the empathy behind the technology we use. You will find this open and honest conversation refreshing, and above all, inspiring as Suki shares great insights and practical tips to be counted! Let’s dive in.
Key points discussed
- Suki explains how she adds value as analytical storyteller for organisations
- How her childhood developed her character, worldview and her insatiable curiosity
- Why it’s always a good idea to give people options to explore things for themselves
- A very useful framework, the 3 As, to make better decisions and accomplish your goals faster
- How to set healthy boundaries online and make informed choice when using social media and digital tools
- Tips for introverts to network like pros
- And much more
Now let’s listen to this insightful conversation with Suki Fuller. Let’s dive in!
Monday Feb 18, 2019
Monday Feb 18, 2019
Akhtar Badshah believes that we should be unreasonable in life but also a learner. He is a former Senior Director of Microsoft Citizenship and Public Affairs, an expert on social impact, philanthropy, CSR and international development but also an author and artist. Akhtar is the founder and Chief Catalyst of Catalytic Innovators Group a consulting practice focused on accelerating social impact. He teaches at the University of Washington, School of Business and Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.
This conversation is unique, contrarian and refreshing, sometimes hilarious but profoundly deep conversation. Akhtar doesn’t do things like others and prefers to live an unstructured life!
Sit down, relax and really pay attention to this ground-breaking conversation. Let’s dive in
Key points discussed
- Akhtar explains how he became a Philanthropist after a highflying career.
- How he moved out of a middle-class India to explore the world and the circumstances that shaped his vision of the world
- Why meaning in life comes through you and how to make time to do what is important to you now
- A valuable framework with the Six Cs to live a successful life
- What it really means to have passion vs compassion
- And so much more
Now let’s listen to this insightful conversation with Akhtar Badshah.
Monday Feb 11, 2019
Monday Feb 11, 2019
Sophie Bryan is a Culture Change expert, TEDx Speaker | Writer | Trainer and Action Learning Coach. She is passionate about making change happen.
In our conversation, Sophie explains how she discovered her calling and decided to focus her work on culture change. She talks also about how to transform a traditional organisation into an innovative one and how to win hearts and minds instead of just training people to adapt to change. We’ve also discussed how you can transition from a corporate job to do a more entrepreneurial work.
Sophie believes that we can use the Montessori teaching elements of freedom, curiosity and play both in our work and life for a more fulfilled life.
Key points discussed
- How she discovered her calling and decided to focus her work on culture change
- How to spot a truly innovative organisation where you can do a meaningful work
- Why the appraisal process in organisations is outdated and what should be done instead
- Why the command and control approach in Education system and in the workplace must end to create 21st century fully functioning individuals
- How to apply the Montessori teaching of freedom curiosity and play in our work and life
- And so much more
Now let’s listen to this insightful conversation with Sophie Bryan.
Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Tuesday Feb 05, 2019
Henry Stewart is the Founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Happy Ltd. He is also author of two books Relax: A Happy Business Story and The Happy Manifesto. He helps people create happy workplaces!
In our conversation, Henry explains how he started Happy Computers after a disastrous job experience and why he decided to create a principled organisation where people are happy.
Henry believes that we should find joy in our work 80% of the time and shares the key elements to become happy at work and in life. He believes that making mistakes is a key ingredient of resilience and why you should never try to fit in! I am sure you will be energised by this fun and insightful conversation.
Key points discussed
- How to choose an organisation where you are likely to be happy
- Why the easiest way to be happy is to help other people.
- Why making mistakes is a key ingredient of resilience
- How his childhood has shaped his worldview
- Why you should treat people the way they want to be treated not as you want to be treated.
- His vision to see happy workplace becomes the norm, not the exception.
Now, listen to my conversation with Henry Stewart to learn much more.
Tuesday Jan 29, 2019
Tuesday Jan 29, 2019
Naomi Sesay is one of the most exciting personal development authors, a global speaker, former TV producer, serial entrepreneur, and currently On Screen Diversity Executive at Channel 4. Naomi is also a well-recognised wealth creation expert in the UK and has researched the mind-boggling world of Quantum Physics.
Naomi is someone who is difficult to put in a box as you will discover in our fascinating conversation. I’ve known her for more than a decade now and the reason I’ve invited her on this show is to experience a glimpse of her wisdom and go away not just inspired by what she says but really take one or 2 things that resonate with you and apply in your life immediately.
We’ve discussed why you should absolutely understand who you are and what you like, why it’s mandatory to find your purpose but also how we can navigate our parents’ expectation when it doesn’t align with who we are. She also talked about how to be bold and take risk in life. Naomi believes that everything we go through is a learning and all our experiences -good & bad- make us who we are.
Key points discussed
- Why it’s mandatory to find your purpose and how to use it to live your life
- How to resist to your parent’s expectation when you don’t feel like it
- How to be ready to spot the opportunity that will change your life – how to take a risk on your passion
- Why we should be bold and take risks with our passion
- What is the lesson you need to learn in life to move on?
- How her mum gave her the right foundation in life
- Why you should create what you love doing… NOW
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Tanya Tarr is Vice President at advantage SPRING, Forbes Contributor & Negotiation Strategist. A former politician turned negotiation coach and entrepreneur, Tanya has interviewed hundreds of women executives from different representations in power writing for Forbes. She shares some great insights from her experience of what it takes to do meaningful work and live a meaningful life.
Key points discussed
- To find your purpose you have to be willing to have a frank and difficult conversation to have with yourself. It may be easier to ask what is the problem that I want to solve in the world? Her guiding star.
- How her multicultural background and experience shaped her curiosity about the world (she is half Korean-half Brazilian and spoke four different languages at home: English, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish)
- Tips to become good a master negotiator
- Why she decided to leave the not for profit world, having spent years promoting other people causes to transition into the business world
- Some powerful questions you should ask yourself to do what we’re passionate about and get paid for it
- Why doing what you love as a job can cease to become a passion and how to go about solving this dilemma
- Why trusting your gut and instincts early in life and believing in yourself should be your north star
Monday Jan 21, 2019
#03 Follow Your Curiosity with Sukhi Jutla, Founder of MarketOrders
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Sukhi Jutla is the Founder of MarketOrders, the B2B trade marketplace for gold jewellery and diamonds. Sukhi is the author of 3 books including ‘Escape The Cubicle: Quit The Job You Hate. Create a Life You Love’, a regular keynote speaker and passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship.
She is an IBM Blockchain Foundation Developer and became the World’s First #1 Bestselling ‘Blockchain’ Author. Listed as one of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech, Sukhi left a decade of corporate life to be an entrepreneur. A meaningful life for her is being the best version of yourself and fully accepting who you are and what you have to offer.
She is passionate to get people to really understand that there's more to life than just a desk job. In this episode, she shares great insights from her journey, challenges and lessons learnt that I am sure will inspire you to live your dream life now.
Key points discussed
- Why it took her 10 years to leave the corporate world that she hated to do her own thing
- How she managed to write her books even with a full-time job and tips for would-be authors and the power of committed decision
- How following her curiosity helped her to find their purpose
- Why having gratitude for where you are should be a key principle in life
- How losing her dad helped her to better appreciate the incredible opportunities of life
- Why walking away from a quarter of a million pounds was one of the most empowering experience she ever had and became even more fearless!
- Why you should always follow your gut instinct
- How the quiet child she was once living in fear and always colouring inside the boxes eventually rebelled to become fearless
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Monday Jan 21, 2019
Courtney Kirschbaum is the Founder and CEO of Job Hunt School, award-winning keynote and TEDx Speaker. Courtney is on a mission to build a movement of entrepreneurial job seekers who know their value and want to find their place. She wants to be remembered as a liberator who won't judge others just because they decide to take their freedom. We are trapped by preconceived notions, by ignorance, by shame and it is so easy to provide knowledge and encouragement and liberate a person. Her greatest power is to believe in people before they believe in themselves.
Key points discussed
- The 3 most important factors to take into consideration when seeking new opportunities
- Why living in truth is the way for a more meaningful work and meaningful life
- Why she is passionate about helping job seekers and getting them to see their value
- Hard lessons learnt from challenging situations and why quitting should never be an option
- Why many people are underpaid in the workforce and how she’s able to increase her clients' salaries by more than 50%
- The importance to know your value and asking for what you want with confidence
- How you can always make different choices, get the education and the knowledge you need to reposition yourself
You really don’t want to miss the gems shared by Courtney whether you are a job seeker or just looking to do a more meaningful work.
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Sunday Jan 20, 2019
Purpose-driven people are doing what they love, making the money they need and impacting positively the lives of others. Join me, Francine Beleyi, every Tuesdays on the ‘Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life’ podcast as I interview today’s most inspiring thought-leaders, authors, speakers, CEOs, entrepreneurs and change makers. These honest conversations will empower you to redefine the life you want and live your best life now!