Advertise on podcast: We Are PoWEr Podcast

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE sits down with broadcaster and TV presenter Michelle Ackerley to talk about the unexpected route that took her from studying psychology in Manchester to building a 20-year career in the media industry. Michelle shares how her early career behind the camera shaped the presenter she became, the moment she said yes to her first opportunity on screen and why preparation has remained one of the biggest sources of her confidence. Michelle talks Blue Peter, Crimewatch and the BBC, as well as the lessons she has learned throughout her career. Michelle also opens up about using her platform to have more honest conversations around grief, health and fertility, and how becoming a mum has taught her to let go of some of the control she has always relied on. In this episode you’ll hear: ➡️ How Michelle’s background influenced her approach to storytelling and people ➡️ The unexpected route from production roles to presenting ➡️ Why saying yes before you feel ready can change the direction of your career ➡️ How preparation can build confidence while leaving space to adapt ➡️ The role of mentors, family and community in overcoming self-doubt ➡️ What live TV can teach us about embracing the unexpected ➡️ Why using your platform to share experiences can help others feel less alone ➡️ Michelle’s experience of endometriosis, fertility and new motherhood #WeArePoWEr #WeArePoWErPodcast #MichelleAckerley #Confidence Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

On this episode, we step inside The Portico Library in Manchester with Thom Keep and Carol Ann Whitehead to explore how a £11 million transformation is reimagining a 220-year-old institution for the future. From improving access and inclusion to finding new ways to tell stories from historic collections, Thom and Carol share how community, advocacy and creativity are helping shape a more welcoming cultural space. They discuss the role of leadership in driving change, the importance of co-creation, and why joy remains at the heart of building meaningful connections with audiences. You'll hear:  • Thom's move from academic history into bringing archives and collections to life  • The vision behind The Portico Reunited project and creating step-free access throughout the building  • Using artists and community co-curation to explore difficult histories responsibly  • Insights from public consultation and what people want from cultural spaces today  • Creating an environment that welcomes families, students, researchers and first-time visitors  • Programming that shines a light on women's stories and suffrage history  • Why advocacy is an action and how leaders can create space for others  • The role of joy, belonging and community in building lasting engagement  • Book recommendations, from an extraordinary illustrated volume on Egypt to graphic novels celebrating powerful women Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this We Are PoWEr episode, we sit down with Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings to explore what it means to lead with authenticity, resilience and purpose in one of the most demanding careers. With more than 23 years in policing, Cath shares her story from aspiring police officer to senior leader, reflecting on the values that have guided her throughout her career.  Cath also offers insights into the realities of leading major investigations, including the nationally high-profile Ashley Dale murder case. She speaks about balancing the responsibility of delivering justice for victims and their families while managing the personal impact that such challenging work can bring. You'll hear: ➡️ What inspired Cath to pursue a career in policing ➡️ Why authenticity and honesty are at the heart of effective leadership ➡️ The realities of leading high-profile investigations under intense scrutiny ➡️ Managing pressure, resilience and personal wellbeing ➡️ The importance of mentoring and supporting future leaders ➡️ Why continuous learning has shaped her approach to leadership ➡️ The challenges and rewards of protecting vulnerable people ➡️ Advice for anyone considering a career in policing Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this We Are PoWEr podcast episode, we sit down with Natasha Jonas MBE, world champion boxer, trailblazer and proud Liverpudlian, to explore the mindset behind success, resilience and creating lasting impact beyond sport. Natasha reflects on the highs and lows of an extraordinary career, from becoming one of the most influential figures in British boxing to receiving an MBE for her contributions to both the sport and her community. She shares how motherhood has reshaped her perspective on winning and losing, the importance of setting boundaries and why success means more when it can inspire the next generation. The conversation also explores Natasha’s deep connection to Liverpool, her passion for improving access to sport for young people and the progress still needed to ensure women’s sport receives the visibility, funding and recognition it deserves. Natasha offers powerful insights on dreaming big, embracing challenges and doing the work required to achieve your goals. You'll hear: ➡️ What receiving an MBE meant to Natasha and her family ➡️ How motherhood changed her approach to success and setbacks ➡️ The mindset needed to adapt, grow and keep moving forward ➡️ Why representation and access matter in sport ➡️ The progress and challenges facing women’s sport today ➡️ Advice for young people with big ambitions ➡️ The role Liverpool and community have played  ➡️ What’s next for one of British boxing’s most influential figures Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast Simone Roche MBE sits down with Ann Miller-McCaffrey to mark Armed Forces Day and trace almost four decades of Royal Navy life from the WRNS era to the reserves.  We talk honestly about change, belonging and how sport, service and family shape the person you become.  Ann reflects on the personal highs and challenges that come with military life, from navigating major cultural shifts within the Armed Forces to finding purpose through leadership, teamwork and community. Her story offers an honest insight into resilience, identity and the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation both within and beyond military service.  Main themes in the episode include: • marking Armed Forces Day and why reflection matters • joining the WRNS and how rules for women have shifted • building a career in Education Training Support across bases and services • using sport as a lifeline through tough periods • creating a formal women’s Royal Navy football team • living through the LGBTQ+ military ban and its lasting impact • running HMS Eaglet operations as facility manager • myth-busting what defence forces do for everyday life • cadets, education, and the values young people can learn • proposing at Liverpool Pride and building a family through adoption Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode, Simone Roche MBE sits down with Leanne Lucas, Founder of Let's Be Blunt CIC for a powerful conversation about authenticity, purpose and turning lived experience into meaningful change. Leanne shares her journey from the classroom to founding Let’s Be Blunt CIC—a campaign with a simple but transformative idea: redesign everyday kitchen knives to help prevent lethal harm, without changing how we cook or live our daily lives. This is a conversation rooted in empathy, evidence, and action. From navigating people-pleasing and finding her voice, to building a movement grounded in care and prevention, Leanne shows how small, thoughtful changes can have life-saving impact. In this episode, we explore: • Growing up and finding your authentic voice • Leanne's story about teaching in the UK and China • Founding Let’s Be Blunt CIC and finding purpose through loss • The hidden risks around kitchen knives and what the data tells us • A simple design shift: removing the tip while keeping functionality • Community action • Practical steps: pledging, auditing your kitchen and safe storage • The power of collaboration and why cultural change is possible This episode is a reminder that change doesn’t always start big. Sometimes, it starts with a conversation and a simple idea that could save lives. Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this special episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE is joined by Natasha Hamilton, formerly of Atomic Kitten and now Founder and Mentor of Morpho Records. Natasha and Simone talk about how a muddy founders festival and a giant cube sparked a new kind of record label and why leading with duty of care can reshape pop. Natasha opens up about bias, mentorship and turning past experiences into a healthier model for artists. • Morpho Records’ purpose and artist-first model • Letting go of the corporate persona and being yourself  • Early missteps, rebuilding and resilience • Navigating bias as a female founder • Lessons from Atomic Kitten’s highs and lows • Mental health, therapy and returning to music • Family, hustle and being the glue • First signing: Pop artist Kai Bosch Inflatables Company mentioned: MegaFlatables Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE sits down with Carter Goodby BEM and Paula Bullock from London North Eastern Railway (LNER) to explore what the rail industry really looks and feels like when people are placed at the heart of the work. From “cake-box kindness” to inclusion networks and leadership in action, this conversation shares how small, everyday choices can shape both customer experience and workplace culture in powerful ways. Carter and Paula share real stories from the frontline to the boardroom—highlighting how authenticity, visibility, and the right support systems can create environments where both colleagues and customers thrive. In this episode, we cover: • What life is really like inside LNER • Empowering frontline teams  • The role of employee networks and visible role models in driving inclusion • Leading with authenticity, visibility, and follow-through • Why systems and processes are key to helping people succeed • Carter’s British Empire Medal and the impact of recognising ED&I work • How everyday conversations can open unexpected opportunities If you’re interested in leadership, workplace culture, diversity and inclusion, or customer experience, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE sits down with Renee Preston, CEO at Gallaway Construction and Founder of Construction for Women, to talk about changing the landscape of the construction industry and creating more opportunities for women to thrive. Renee shares her personal journey into construction, the experiences that shaped her career, and the work she’s doing to open doors for the next generation through mentoring and early talent programmes. Together, Simone and Renee explore the barriers that still exist in the sector, the importance of representation on building sites and how confidence challenges like impostor syndrome can impact careers even for the most capable professionals. In this episode, you’ll hear: ➡️ Renee’s pathway into the construction industry ➡️ Changing the landscape of a traditional building site ➡️ Barriers women can face in construction careers ➡️ Mentoring and supporting the next generation ➡️ Navigating impostor syndrome in the workplace ➡️ The mission behind Construction for Women  #WeArePoWEr #WomenInConstruction #WomenInLeadership Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, Simone Roche MBE sits down with journalist, presenter, and Northern PoWEr Women Awards host Nina Hossain. For the past six years, Nina has taken to the stage to guide one of the North’s most inspiring celebrations of leadership, diversity, and change. Simone and Nina reconnect to reflect on the story behind the Northern PoWEr Women Awards, why meaningful recognition matters and the role the awards play in championing the people and organisations driving progress across the North. Nina shares how she first became the host of the awards and what the experience has meant to her over the years. In this episode you’ll hear: ➡️ How Nina became the host of the Northern PoWEr Women Awards ➡️ What the awards mean to Nina after six years on the stage ➡️ Why recognition and celebration are so important for progress ➡️ Reflections and past NPWA stories  ➡️ Insight into the judging process behind the awards ➡️ The importance of celebrating diversity and talent across the North #NorthernPowerWomen #WeArePoWEr #NinaHossain Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

Trigger Warning: Mentions of mental health and suicide In this episode of the We Are Power Podcast, Simone Roche MBE sits down with Jodie Hill, Founder of Thrive Law, to explore her journey into law, her neurodivergence diagnosis and how she transformed personal challenges into powerful leadership. Jodie shares how experiencing a mental breakdown became a turning point that reshaped not only her life, but the culture of the business she built. From embedding wellbeing into workplace DNA to navigating high-pressure environments and media appearances. What you’ll hear: • Jodie’s pathway into law and founding Thrive Law • Receiving a neurodivergence diagnosis and the impact of masking • ADHD triggers and creating environments that work for you • Turning a mental breakdown into a mental breakthrough • Celebrating wins and building a human-first business • Mental health advice for founders and leaders • Supporting teams through pressure and growth • Navigating TV appearances and public visibility • What it really means to have “A License to Thrive” Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

Trigger Warning: Themes of mental health and suicide On this week's podcast episode we sit down with Kirsty Collin, Global Head of CRM at Gleeds, who talks about her path from undiagnosed ADHD and dyscalculia to global client listening leader and Lead of Women at Gleeds. Grief, burnout, boxing and everyday kindness shape Kirsty's story and ongoing resilience. We dive into the love and loss of her partner Ben, the diary entry that changed how she shows up for strangers and the choice to tell her story so others feel less alone. She unpacks burnout that was misdiagnosed as depression and the practical moves that helped her. What to Expect: • Kirsty's ADHD and dyscalculia story • Navigating grief and healing  • Turning hardships into a positive  • Burnout misdiagnosed and neurodivergent signals • The effects of menopause with ADHD • Launching Women at Gleeds and building ally culture • Boxing wins, TV nerves, and showing up as yourself Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

On this week's episode with Matt Carroll, CEO at Nimble Approach, we explore how inclusive leadership, AI adoption and early-talent pathways create real outcomes in tech and consulting.  Matt has advocacy at the forefront of his mind and has worked to collaborate to make the tech space a safe inclusive place for everyone. On this episode Matt shares how small, consistent actions can shift culture and the importance of taking ownership within your own career. You'll hear: • Why inclusive teams drive better outcomes • Ai efficiency and how it can accelerate careers as well as the challenge's • Ai in education and social mobility • Apprenticeships and early talent pipeline • Turning ideas into action with clear priorities and ownership • Allyship versus advocacy • Balancing work, health, and family to sustain pace Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the WeArePoWEr Podcast we talk with Vivify founder Russell Teale about turning idle school facilities into living community spaces, from choirs to junior football and why profit and purpose work better together. The journey runs from redundancy to scale, with lessons on traction, leadership, and values‑aligned investors. Here's what you can expect to hear: ➡️founding Vivify during lockdown and backing values ➡️lessons from a startup and the meaning of traction ➡️shifting from gyms to school‑led community spaces ➡️how the model creates local jobs and revenue for schools ➡️scaling from founder‑led hustle to a 500‑person team ➡️long‑term vision to reach every school and beyond Find out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫

In this episode of the WeArePoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Asia Sharif, a Software Engineer, public speaker, mentor and all-round force of nature. Asia shares the story behind the origin of her name, how identity has shaped her confidence and her honest experiences with imposter syndrome in tech. She reflects on building self-belief, navigating underrepresentation in engineering and the importance of mentorship in STEM, while also breaking down her path into coding and software engineering and how public speaking became a tool for impact and advocacy. She also opens up about her battle with cancer, the challenges she faced and the mindset that helped her keep moving forward. What to expect in this episode: The story and meaning behind Asia’s nameImposter syndrome & building self-beliefMentorship in STEM and engineeringCoding, software engineering & tech careersPublic speaking and confidenceAsia’s cancer journey, resilience & recoveryAwards, achievements & successFind out more about We Are PoWEr here.  💫