The Courageous Leaders Podcast

How do you lead with kindness – and still drive high performance?In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Pete Markey, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots UK, and one of the most respected marketing leaders in the country.Pete shares his story, from early knockbacks to board-level leadership, and explains why kindness, vulnerability, and clarity have become his most powerful leadership tools.We Cover: 01:18 – Starting out in finance and how it shaped his leadership04:15 – Making the leap into marketing07:40 – Rejection, resilience and bouncing back11:29 – His first big step into leadership14:32 – Why “clarity” became his North Star17:46 – Bringing kindness and vulnerability into the boardroom22:05 – The toughest feedback he’s ever received25:59 – Why storytelling is a superpower for marketers31:02 – The Boots campaign that proved creativity still works34:48 – Keeping your values strong under pressure39:30 – Pete’s advice to the next generation of marketing leadersDon’t miss this generous and eye-opening conversation.👍 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

Are you midlife and feel like it’s too late to start over?Jane Evans has just two words for you…In this week’s Fast & Curious, Jane Evans brings unapologetic honesty, razor-sharp wit, and just the right amount of “don’t-mess-with-me” energy:Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find:⚡ The one book that turned her approach to leadership upside down⚡ Why post‑menopause might be the best phase of life⚡ Dogs, 80s nostalgia, and the quickest way to kill a brilliant idea⚡ Her brutally honest response when a midlife woman says, “It’s too late for me”It’s not just fun and fast—it’s fearless, relatable, and perfectly timed.📺 Jane’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. While you’re there, be sure to check out her full Courageous Leaders interview too.👍 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

What happens when you’re told your career’s over at 50?In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Jane Evans, award-winning creative director and founder of The 7th Tribe and one of her generation’s most successful female creatives.From being the first woman in multiple creative departments to launching a global movement to fight midlife invisibility, Jane’s story is raw, inspiring, and a wake-up call for how we treat women over 50 in the workplace.We Cover: 01:10 – Getting harassed on day two of art school03:08 – What it really took to survive as a woman in advertising06:22 – The line that doubled her salary overnight09:17 – The career highs and the shocking fall that followed13:29 – Why she started a business from a warehouse with her kids upstairs18:04 – How her partner erased her financial future21:58 – Being ignored for jobs and told she was “too old”25:45 – The tweet that launched a global campaign28:56 – From ad legend to food bank queue and what she did next33:19 – Why she says this is a national emergency36:12 – The one mindset that’s helped her survive it all41:08 – What brands miss by ignoring older audiences46:35 – How to stop fear from keeping you small52:42 – Jane’s advice for women ready to do work that matters59:10 – Where she still wants to be more courageous in her life👍 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

What’s the biggest myth about being a CEO?Josh Harris shares all.In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Neverland London CEO brings wit, warmth, and the occasional swear word (thanks to his toddler).Find out:⚡ For Josh, what would instantly rule someone out in an interview?⚡ Who he would love to swap roles with for the day in his office⚡ And the brand collab he’s dreaming ofIt’s quick, honest, and packed with moments every leader (and parent) will relate to.📺 Josh’s full Fast & Curious episode is now live on YouTube. Don’t forget to check out his full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.👍 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

Have you ever wondered if the best move in your career might be walking away?On this week’s episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Josh Harris, CEO of Neverland London. Josh made the bold decision to step away from the security of corporate life and it turned out to be the best thing he could have done.We talk about the emotional weight of leadership, the pressure to protect people, and the challenge of building a business that looks after purpose, people and profits together. Creating a culture that helped Neverland earn a spot as one of Campaign’s Best Places to Work 2024 and 2025.We Cover:01:15 – Leaving a stable job with a newborn during COVID03:22 – Two breaking points that made walking away the only option06:42 – Returning to work with new clarity on culture and fit09:35 – The unexpected loneliness of becoming CEO12:04 – Why investing in junior talent powers the whole business15:45 – Protecting people first: cutting costs without cutting jobs17:41 – Leading without a set path and keeping creativity at the core21:35 – Why emotional intelligence is Josh’s most valuable leadership tool28:02 – Balancing control with trust and creating psychological safety31:19 – Working with founders without the ego clashes36:46 – The challenges and freedom of an all-new leadership team39:34 – “Ask forgiveness, not permission”40:47 – The advice Josh’s future self would give him todayDon’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

Ever made a decision under pressure that you instantly regretted?Maybe it was to avoid conflict, keep the peace, or just make the discomfort stop.I’ve been there and it nearly cost me my confidence as a leader.In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I open up about how pressure is the real test of your leadership.We Cover: 01:14 – The two ways leaders make decisions under pressure02:22 – The personal story that changed how I lead03:51 – What actually triggers your pressure04:53 – Reframing pressure as a privilege, not a burden05:33 – The perspective trick every overwhelmed leader needs06:43 – The biggest mistake leaders make when pressure hits07:22 – Why trusting your gut can save you from costly decisions07:37 – Quick recap of all four pressure-handling tools08:00 – Why pressure makes you wiser, not weaker08:35 – A message for every leader who’s navigating the hard daysDon’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

If LinkedIn had a no-fluff filter… How much content would survive?We put Elisabetta Torretti, in the hot seat to find out,🌍 The best and worst thing about starting over in a new country  📊 Her blunt advice for anyone tying self-worth to metrics📱  The habit she tells others to break… but can’t break herself💌 And the weirdest DM she’s ever receivedWatch the clip now and don’t miss the full episode for more curious moments.📺 Elisabetta’s full Fast & Curious episode drops today on YouTube. Don’t forget to also check out her full Courageous Leaders interview while you’re there.→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54👍 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

How do you turn personal struggles into a platform that changes lives?In this episode of Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Elisabetta Torretti, founder and CEO of Mint and Lemon, who helps founders and teams show up online with clarity and confidence. From moving to London at 25 without speaking English, and overcoming an eating disorder, to growing 100k LinkedIn followers in a year, Elisabetta’s story is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and building a personal brand that opens doors.We Cover: 01:21 – Moving to London without English or connections03:23 – The three teenage dreams that shaped her leap into the unknown06:10 – From insecurity and imposter syndrome to starting self-belief work09:29 – Discovering and confronting binge eating disorder13:30 – Lessons from therapy and how they built her resilience17:27 – From corporate to 100k LinkedIn followers and why visibility matters22:18 – Navigating overwhelm, boundaries, and criticism online26:12 – Why trolls are a sign of success and how to handle them28:27 – Everyone has a personal brand and here’s how to start building yours36:54 – One piece of advice for anyone scared to post online39:30 – Where she still wants to be more courageous and why self-belief mattersDon’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

⏰ 6:07am. Twice a week.That’s when Check Warner sets her alarm.Why so precise? 👀That’s just one of the things you’ll discover in this week’s The Fast & The Curious with Matt & Check, Co-Founders of Ada Ventures.From parenting lessons to the startup ‘rules’ they ignored, this is the side of two highly successful founders you won’t find on Google.🎧 Take a listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-courageous-leaders-podcast/id1594924295📺 Watch now on YouTube, full Courageous Leaders Podcast episode also live.👍 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

What happens when two unlikely co-founders challenge everything about the venture capital world?In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Check Warner and Matt Penneycard, the duo behind Ada Ventures. They open up about money, stress, parenthood, relentless rejection and what it takes to build a business from nothing but trust and audacity.If you’ve ever wondered how to start a company with zero roadmap, navigate co-founder friction, or fundraise against the odds this one’s for you.We Cover: 01:40 – Check’s bold career pivot into VC with no finance background04:46 – Matt’s courageous leap despite the financial and family strain06:18 – Why Check didn’t believe Matt was “real” (and how that changed everything)08:40 – Equal partnership: how they split everything 50/50 from day one11:54 – Building Ada Ventures with no salary, no certainty, just vision13:13 – How trust and shared risk carried them through tough times15:25 – The first moment of friction (and the awkward feedback conversation)18:35 – Leading with inclusivity, especially when no one else was doing this29:47 – Did they ever think about quitting? Yes. Here’s how they didn’t.32:10 – The viral “privilege” article and why Check had to speak upDon’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