People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

A really warm welcome to Purposely SHORT, short as in not long—a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. The aim is to give you a useful insight that you can action, helping you to deliver on your charitable mission. Enjoy.In this week’s episode, Izzy Horrocks, co-founder of Aotearoa Lifecourse Foundation, shares a deeply personal story from her time in East Africa—beginning with her first overwhelming experience arriving in Addis Ababa at 19, and later co-founding a social enterprise in Kenya aimed at helping small hold farmers access fairer markets.Izzy reflects on what she learned from building (and ultimately winding down) that venture: the limits of well-meaning ambition, the primacy of trust in communities, and the danger of imposing solutions without lived experience. Her story offers a rare and honest glimpse into what it means to fail well, and why true impact starts with listening and humility.This formative journey has shaped Izzy’s worldview and directly influenced her founding of Aotearoa Lifecourse Foundation, where she now champions a more grounded, relational approach to philanthropy.

Steven Hargreaves, founder of The Compassionate Leadership Company, joined Mark Longbottom on the Purposely Podcast to share why he left a secure corporate job to follow a new path.He chose to take voluntary redundancy—not just for a lifestyle change, but because he felt inspired to help others lead with more compassion. It was a personal mission. He had seen the cost of poor leadership and believed there was a better way.Of course, the practical side mattered too. Voluntary redundancy gave him the financial breathing room to start something new. It also let him take back control of his time. “I don’t work weekends. I don’t work school holidays,” he said. “That was a very intentional choice to be present with my family and maintain balance.”With space to think clearly, Steven launched The Compassionate Leadership Company. His goal: to help leaders show up differently—leading with empathy, self-awareness, and human connection. His 16-week programme is hands-on. “Learn something, try it, come back, reflect, and improve,” he explained. It’s built around action and real-world learning, not box-ticking or passive content.Steven’s corporate experience shapes his approach. He doesn’t offer generic solutions. Instead, he tailors his work to the needs of each team—whether they’re remote, hybrid, or in a specific sector. The goal is always the same: better leadership through trust, understanding, and connection.One of his early challenges was pricing. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, he undervalued his time and expertise. “We often price ourselves too low at the start,” he said. “Now I’m much clearer on what it really takes to deliver quality work.” This mindset shift has helped him grow the business without compromising on values.At the heart of Steven’s work is self-compassion. He integrates breathwork and mindfulness—not to make leaders spiritual, but to help them manage stress, stay resilient, and lead calmly. “Breathing well has to be core,” he said. “It’s about knowing the science and having tools to stay steady under pressure.”Importantly, Steven’s definition of leadership goes beyond work. By stepping away from the traditional 9–5, he’s built a life that aligns with his values—where family, energy, and integrity come first. “I’ve learned to say no to the things that would stretch me too thin,” he said. That clarity lets him support his clients without burning out.Steven Hargreaves’ story is a reminder that leaving the safe option behind can lead to something more meaningful. His approach to compassionate leadership isn’t just about managing people better—it’s about creating workplaces, and lives, where people can thrive.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Izzy Horrocks, co-founder of Aotearoa Lifecourse Foundation, discussing Venture Philanthropy and how it can impact society and environment by identifying, supporting and enabling changemakers and social impact leaders.In this short clip, Izzy explains how venture philanthropy differs from more traditional models—shifting the focus from one-off grants to long-term partnerships. She describes how the fund identifies high-potential organisations and provides not just funding, but hands-on support to help them grow and thrive.Izzy also highlights the central role of trust and collaboration in the venture philanthropy model, and how shared goals and sustained commitment are key to driving better outcomes, particularly for tamariki (children / young people).Visit their website here: https://www.lifecourse.nz/

Welcoming Joanna Simon, CEO of Starship Foundation, toPurposely PodcastIn this episode of Purposely, we speak with JoannaSimon, Chief Executive of the Starship Foundation—a charitable organisation that supports paediatric healthcare across New Zealand and the South Pacific.Joanna moved from a background in corporate marketing and communications into the not-for-profit sector, where she now leads one of the country’s most established healthcare foundations.The Starship Foundation exists to support the work ofStarship Children’s Hospital, New Zealand’s national children’s hospital. With over 100,000 patient visits each year and more than 1,000 outreach clinics, the hospital provides specialist care to children both in Auckland and across thewider region. One of its key programmes is the Starship National Air Ambulance, which transports critically ill or injured children to Starship for urgent care—on average, every 48 hours.The foundation is currently focused on raising funds toexpand and upgrade New Zealand’s only dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), with the aim of meeting increasing demand and improving care for children with complex needs.Joanna’s involvement with Starship began as a parent. During hospital visits with her sons, she saw the level of care and support provided by the staff. These experiences led her to support the foundation well before she stepped into the leadership role. While working as Chief Operating Officerat international law firm DLA Piper, Joanna also developed a professional relationship with the foundation, which was a pro bono client of the firm. She supported fundraising efforts and gained a closer view of the organisation’s work.In her current role, Joanna describes her leadership styleas inclusive and open. She values clear communication, encourages initiative, and focuses on ensuring her team has the resources and structure they need to deliver on their goals. She sees collaboration and alignment around sharedgoals as key to achieving effective results.Since taking on the role, Joanna has been encouraged by thelevel of support the foundation receives. Donations from individuals, businesses, and community groups make it possible to fund hospital upgrades, outreach services, and specialised care programmes.Away from work, Joanna leads an active life. She oftencycles to work on her e-bike, enjoys walking and Pilates, and spends time with her husband Greg and their sons, Oliver and Alex—especially at Matapouri Beach. She’s also a keen reader and has a strong interest in the arts. Her past involvement with the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation Board and current position on the Mercy Healthcare Auckland Ltd Board reflect her wider interests in both healthcare and culture.Joanna Simon’s career reflects how skills developed in thecorporate sector can be applied to support the not-for-profit world. Under her leadership, the Starship Foundation continues to play a key role in supporting services that help deliver healthcare to children across New Zealand and thePacific.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, who shares the story of how she transitioned from being a fitness entrepreneur to becoming a passionate advocate for period equity.Known affectionately as the ‘Pad Lady’, Rochelle has led a movement that has collected and distributed millions of period products across Australia.It all began in March 2015, when Rochelle learned that many homeless women were going without basic sanitary items. Instead of asking, “Why isn’t anyone doing something?”, she asked, “What’s stopping me from doing something?”—and took action.Starting with a grassroots collection in her local community, Rochelle founded Share the Dignity, a charity that now boasts over 6,000 volunteers nationwide. The organisation runs multiple initiatives dedicated to restoring dignity to women, girls, and all people who menstruate.

Ruth Morse, Chief Executive of the Well Foundation, recentlyjoined Purposely to share her personal and professional journey, as well as the vital work her organisation does to support healthcare across Auckland’s North Shore and Waitākere regions.The Well Foundation is dedicated to improving healthoutcomes for over 580,000 people—the population served by the Waitematā District Health Board (DHB), New Zealand’s largest. The Foundation exists to raise additional funds for high-priority projects and initiatives that falloutside the scope of government funding. Its mission? To enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and help deliver world-class healthcare for the community. Every dollar donated is carefully allocated to agreed initiatives, ensuring it’s used where it’s needed most and kept entirely separate from the DHB’s core government funding.During her interview, Ruth highlighted the criticalimportance of community support, saying, “We’re here to bridge the gap—to make a tangible difference in people’s healthcare experiences.” This could involve anything from purchasing state-of-the-art medical equipment to fundinginitiatives that improve patient comfort and wellbeing.Ruth’s personal story is as compelling as the Foundation’smission. Having qualified and briefly worked as a midwife, she soon transitioned into roles in management and communications. Her husband jokingly refers to her career pivot as her “midwife crisis.” After practising midwiferyfor a short time, Ruth moved into communications, marketing, fundraising, and events—eventually discovering her passion for leadership within the charitable sector. Today, she combines her professional expertise and deep sense ofpurpose to guide the Well Foundation towards meaningful and measurable impact in Auckland’s healthcare landscape.As a parent, Ruth also juggles the demands of herprofessional role with family life. Originally from the UK, her husband’s roots mean the family regularly travels back to England to stay connected with loved ones. Her life, much like her work, is a delicate balance of purpose, passion,and connection.The Well Foundation plays a crucial role in helping theWaitematā DHB realise its vision of “best care for everyone.” With more than 30 community healthcare sites and two major hospitals under its umbrella, the DHB depends on the Foundation’s ability to harness community generosity. Recent projects have included equipping hospitals with new technologies and funding initiatives that directly enhance patient experience.Ruth’s leadership at the Well Foundation is grounded in agenuine commitment to creating positive change. Whether it’s fundraising, building partnerships, or inspiring a shared sense of purpose, her approach is both pragmatic and deeply human. As Ruth puts it, “At the end of the day, it’sabout people helping people.”To hear more from Ruth Morse and learn about the impactfulwork of the Well Foundation, listen to the full interview at www.purposelypodcast.com. 

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Peter Hugh Smith, CEO, at CCLA. he discussion centers on CCLA's stance on Shein's potential London Stock Exchange listing, citing concerns over labor practices and raw material sourcing. Despite potential investment, CCLA decided not to invest due to ethical reasons. The conversation highlights CCLA's approach to aligning investments with client values, assessing sustainable impacts, and engaging with companies to drive change. A notable example is CCLA's corporate mental health benchmark, which rated UK companies post-pandemic, leading to HSBC improving its global mental health policies. CCLA also engages with governments to influence policy, complementing their company engagement efforts.

Guy Horne: Building Homes and Changing LivesWhat if buying a single property could mark the beginning ofa mission to support thousands of people? That’s what happened when Guy Horne and his co-founder David Searle purchased their first home in Manchester in 2015. More than a typical investment, it became the foundation for a businessfocused on meeting housing needs and offering stability to vulnerable people.As the co-founder and CEO of HSPG (HP Property Group), Guy has led the development of a company that combines business goals with a strong social mission. With a focus on “building partnerships, creating homes, and supporting communities,” HSPG has become a key player in the social housing sector. The organisation works closely with local authorities, businesses, and charities to achieve a balance between profit and purpose. Since its launch, HSPG has provided housing for over 10,000 people across England.Their journey wasn’t without its hurdles. In the beginning,Guy and David navigated tight financial constraints, gaining hands-on experience in communication, resilience, and building trust.Guy recalls moments that brought home the real impact oftheir work—such as supporting a refugee to reconnect with their family—illustrating that their mission is as much about people as it is about property.Outside of his role at HSPG, Guy channels his creativity asa recording artist whose music has reached thousands of listeners on Spotify.Sharing his passion for songwriting and performance, he brings energy and depth to his work, crafting melodies that resonate far and wide. Guy thrives on the thrill of connecting with his audience, whether through a carefully composedtrack or an intimate live performance with friends. Looking ahead, HSPG aims to broaden its impact. Over thenext five years, the company plans to increase the number of people housed to between 20,000 and 30,000. This will involve a continued focus on delivering good-quality, affordable homes and forming new partnerships across the sector.Guy is passionately committed to wellness and becoming thebest version of himself every single day. Infusing his life with energy and purpose, he embraces daily practices like movement, meditation, and yoga, whichfuel his focus and creativity. Drawing inspiration from transformative mentors andimmersive experiences, Guy has travelled extensively to every corner of the world—whether exploring the vibrant cultures of India and New Zealand or finding serenity in local retreats and conversations that spark new perspectives. His journey reflects a mix of personal growth and dedicationto leading a purposeful and healthy life.Guy’s work shows just how powerful it can be to combinebusiness with making a real difference. Whether through HSPG or his personal projects, he proves that focused efforts can change lives and strengthen communities, one home at a time.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode that features one of our friends or past guests sharing their expertise on a specific topic.This week's episode features Susanne Ritzenhoff Director of Toi Ora Live Art Trust. In this bonus episode of Purposely, Suzanne discusses her experiences with dyslexia, which she inherited from her father. She recounts the challenges she faced as a child, such as writing words in multiple ways, and how her mother struggled to understand. Suzanne emphasises the importance of resilience and using technology to aid in learning. She highlights the role of supportive family members, particularly her father and older siblings, in maintaining her self-esteem. Suzanne also notes the unique perspective and problem-solving skills that dyslexia can bring, suggesting it might be a superpower rather than a disadvantage.

In 2015, Rochelle Courtenay came across an article that exposed the reality faced by many women experiencing homelessness or living in poverty in Australia. It described how some were forced to use socks, newspapers, or toilet paper to manage their periods due to a lack of access to essential products. Reading this, Rochelle felt she couldn’t ignore the issue.At the time, she was running a personal training and photography business, but the idea of doing something practical to help took hold. She started small, asking her clients to donate period products, using her gym as a collection point. The response was immediate, and what began as a local effort soon grew into a nationwide movement- Share The Dignity.The charity’s goal is simple: to ensure no one in Australia goes without the basic products needed to manage their period. It provides pads and tampons to people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or crisis, ensuring they can manage their periods with dignity.Beyond distributing products, Share The Dignity pushes for better menstrual health education and policy change. The organisation has installed dignity vending machines across Australia, offering free period packs in schools, community centres, and other accessible locations. It also played a key role in the campaign to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on period products, a classification that unfairly labelled them as luxury items.In its first year, Rochelle encouraged her clients to donatea pack of pads or tampons for every glass of wine they drank in March. The support she received confirmed the willingness of people to help. As the initiative expanded, Rochelle faced the logistical challenges of building a charity—securing legal status, obtaining permits, and managing distribution networks. Volunteers, whom she calls “sheroes and heroes,” played a crucial role in overcoming these hurdles.Rochelle’s motivation came from a mix of personal experience and the stories she encountered. She had faced struggles of her own and could imagine the additional burden of managing a period without proper supplies. One story stuck with her—a young girl in a domestic violence shelter who resorted to using stolen socks because she had no other option.Share The Dignity is more than a charity; it’s a movement for change. While providing immediate support, it also challenges the systems that have allowed period poverty to persist. Its success in removing the GST on period products is a testament to the power of public action and advocacy. The charity’s vision is simple: menstrual products should be as readily available as toilet paper, with long-term solutions embedded in policy, not just charity.For those looking to support this cause, there are many ways to get involved—donating products, volunteering, or simply raising awareness about period poverty. Share The Dignity is proof that small actions, when combined, can create lasting change.