The Courageous Leaders Podcast

What do penis pens, naked yoga and an erotic platform...All have in common?Lauren Spearman reveals in her The Fast & The Curious episode.Cannes chaos to 9pm bedtimesThis one moves fast and nothing is off limits.🙃 What did her family buy her that left her speechless? 💸 Why have none of her invoices been paid this month? 🍷 What’s her go-to hobby that involves wine and a fancy tablecloth? 👀 And which platform would she love to collab with purely for fun?You’ll laugh.You’ll raise an eyebrow.You’ll question your own morning routine.📺 Full episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast now live on YouTube.👍 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 to keep showing up and challenging yourself even when you have no confidence?In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Lauren Spearman, a Social Media consultant and content creator, about the raw and real journey of building confidence. From leaving a steady job with no plan B to showing up online at her lowest point, Lauren shares what it’s really like to let go of control, show up when you're unsure, and embrace uncertainty. Whether you're stuck in your career, struggling to speak up, or just tired of waiting for confidence to arrive, this one's for you.We Cover: 00:00 – Introduction01:30 – The TikTok that changed her career trajectory03:20 – A lifelong battle with self-worth and body image05:00 – Why confidence is a wave you ride08:00 – Quitting without a plan and what changed her mindset10:30 – Confidence isn’t having all the answers12:00 – You have to act first14:00 – Raising standards changed everything16:00 – Building a portfolio career by following energy20:00 – Designing a dream lifestyle, not a dream job34:30 – Getting curious and asking better questionsDon’t miss out on this powerful episode.💌 Enjoying the podcast?Join our newsletter for bite-sized leadership insights, exclusive behind-the-scenes, and first access to new episodes:👉 Subscribe here : https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:https://thecourageousleaderspodcast.buzzsprout.com/🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:Website: https://www.thechangecreators.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/ 👍 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 stronger, self-discipline or self-awareness?Which one would you choose?We put Ross Anderson in the hot seat for The Fast & The Curious.From topless butler to mindset mentor,He’s got stories, surprises, and a serious take on growth that’ll make you stop scrolling.🧠 What’s the one tool he swears by for instant stress relief?📺 Which guilty pleasure TV show does he watch on loop?🏆 Which Guinness World Record does he want to break next?🧊 And why ice baths don’t work for him.📺 Watch Ross Anderson’s full Fast & The Curious episode now on The Courageous Leaders Podcast.👍 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 if your worst life chapters could become your greatest teachers? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Ross Anderson, psychologist, founder of Beyond Baseline, and someone who turned chaos into clarity. Ross shares the pivotal moments that forced him to choose between staying broken or building something better.We talk about the courage it takes to rewrite your identity, to walk away from the life you were handed, and to chase a version of yourself that doesn't yet exist. If you've ever felt stuck in your past or unsure of what’s next, this conversation will show you what’s possible when you believe in better.We Cover: 01:35 – The moment Ross nearly faced two years in jail02:55 – What addiction and panic attacks were doing to his life05:33 – When Ross began listening to his real, authentic thoughts09:29 – Why reinvention means letting go of who you used to be10:26 – How to tell the difference between authentic and false thoughts15:01 – What media consumption is doing to our sense of stillness19:15 – The power of strong determination meditation20:55 – How a psychologist changed the direction of Ross’s life26:40 – Becoming the first in his family to go to college31:30 – The three mentors who helped him avoid jail33:14 – A powerful experiment that proves belief shapes behaviour47:17 – Why we need to train the mind like we train the bodyDon’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

Does Ryan Gosling look like Rodney Trotter?This is a debate I never thought I’d be having.I love doing The Fast & The Curious with my guests…But answering the questions myself? Way harder. And way more fun.With my husband Kev firing the questions, I had nowhere to hide, just honest, candid, and occasionally ridiculous answers.This teaser clip is just a taste of what we got into…Watch the full episode on YouTube to find out:😴 Do I snore?🧠 Which leadership trait I'm still working on🛗 Who I’d want to be stuck in a lift with📺 My ultimate guilty pleasure TV binge🍸 Which wins - Tiramisu or Espresso Martini?🤷🏻‍♀️ Are Kev and I still married after this interview?! 🥴😂🥰And when I think about it… has anyone ever seen Ryan Gosling and Rodney Trotter in the same room? 🤔Let me know how you think you’d get on with questions like this from a loved one!🎬 Catch the full episode now on YouTube👍 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 you’ve ever questioned your worth, your voice, or your path, this episode is for you.For the first time on The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m not the one asking the questions. This time, it’s my husband Kevin behind the mic with myself in the ‘guest’ chair.We unpack the moments that defined how I lead today: grief, pressure, burnout, and what it really takes to rebuild after walking away from a version of ‘success’ that wasn’t serving me.We Cover: 00:00 – Introduction - Jo in the guest seat with her husband Kev as the host01:22 – What I wish I knew before saying ‘yes’ to the dream job in Australia03:45 – Why giving up my career to travel was the best decision I ever made05:55 – What losing my dad at 18 taught me about courage, fast decisions, and leadership09:10 – How grief drove me and nearly made me lose myself11:45 – What I learned from making it to the board without a university degree14:00 – Why chasing the title and pay cheque left me feeling empty17:15 – What it took to rebuild my confidence after working in a toxic culture22:00 – How one weekend helped me find my voice again26:50 – What self-leadership actually looks like (when no one’s watching)33:10 – The advice I’d give my younger self and what I still remind myself 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

What's the most unhumble thing you have done?And what rule would you break? We put Stefanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble, in the hot seat for our latest episode of The Fast & The Curious and let’s just say, her answers were as bold as her brand.In just a few minutes, we found out:👀 The rule she’d break if no one could stop her📧 What she’s done saying sorry for🎶 Her go-to confidence anthem before a big momentThis was a lot of fun to do.Listen to the clip, then head to the full episode on YouTube for more unfiltered answers.👍 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 does it really take to step into your purpose, even when it scares you? In this episode, I’m joined by Stefanie Sword-Williams, the fearless founder of F*ck Being Humble. She opens up about her journey from advertising to creating a global movement, what drives her, and why she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. We explore courage, burnout, and how to find meaning when life throws you off track.We Cover: 01:51 – How starting Fuck Being Humble was Stefanie’s boldest move06:43 – Why she created her own stage instead of waiting for permission09:20 – How Stefanie launched her first event and became a public speaker15:52 – Rapid growth through word of mouth and community20:44 – Learning to set boundaries after being overlooked25:05 – Why scrappy events and strong storytelling worked31:26 – What’s next: Stefanie’s new book and shifting into legacy work34:56 – Helping people stuck in their careers find a new path45:01 – How she’s learning to say no and trust what matters55:31 – A traumatic moment in 2023 and the power of healing in publicDon’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

Danny Dyer or Peter Crouch?Negroni or Yorkshire Tea?We put Leah Spears in the hot seat for our latest episode of The Fast & The Curious.And her answers never disappoint 🔥From bold picks to unexpected truths...This one moves fast, and nothing is off limits...👀 What would she name her racehorse?🍽 Why would she say yes to being on First Dates?🤯 What’s harder: being a mum or managing creatives?🙋‍♀️ And what advice does she give to the next wave of bold women in business?❌ No filters.❌ No fluff.Just a leader being fully herself and loving it.For the full insight's check out the full story, which is live now on YouTube.👍 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 stay true to yourself even when the world tells you to change?In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Leah Spears, Head of Brand Strategy at Paddy Power. She shares the personal moments that shaped her leadership, from navigating judgement based on appearance to stepping into bold, visible roles. We explore confidence, curiosity, and what it takes to lead with integrity in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy.We Cover: 01:22 – Why Leah joined Paddy Power and how she knew it was the right fit04:08 – The judgement she faced based on how she looked and who she was06:08 – The advice she regrets taking and how she quickly reclaimed herself08:50 – How she turned being underestimated into her biggest strength11:27 – Why being curious has helped her grow as a leader14:13 – How she handles difficult conversations without fear17:16 – Childhood ambitions and how they shaped her mindset20:53 – Creating real connections in a digital, hybrid workplace23:29 – What makes a great agency–client partnership work26:20 – How she’s helping younger women in her team find their voice29:21 – Why confidence starts with knowing you don’t have to know everythingDon’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