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Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it's a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It's a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com. Season 5, Episode 5: Designing your life and leading with curiosity with Ania Smith This week I'm joined by Ania Smith — CEO of TaskRabbit, the IKEA-owned platform that connects people with skilled Taskers for everyday home and life tasks, operating across North America and Europe. Ania became a first-time CEO in August 2020 — in a pandemic, unable to meet her team in person for months. Before that, she did something most people only dream about. She and her husband packed up their entire life, sold their cars, pulled three kids out of school, and moved to Buenos Aires for a year. On purpose. At the height of her career. In this conversation we talk about what it takes to design your life intentionally rather than just following the path everyone else is on. About the gap year that changed how she leads. About walking into a CEO role with a listening tour before she made a single decision. About one-way door decisions and why the best CEOs make as few decisions as possible. About curiosity as the most important leadership skill she knows. And about what she wishes she'd learned sooner: how to really listen. This one is for every woman who has ever wondered if there might be another way — and had the courage to find out. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I'd love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 01:37 | What does it mean to be in bloom — in work and in life? 03:43 | Curiosity and adapting to unprecedented change 06:00 | Holding uncertainty in your body — the calm that leadership requires 08:09 | Fight or flight is real — and Ania has a lot of fight in her 09:26 | The gap year: selling the cars, pulling the kids out of school, and going to Argentina 11:44 | You're so lucky — and why Ania pushes back on that every time 13:00 | Don't let a good life get in the way of a great one 15:10 | What the year away changed about how she leads 16:31 | Coming back, COVID hitting, and still feeling stable 18:25 | TaskRabbit and why giving Taskers autonomy over their own rates matters 21:40 | Becoming a first-time CEO in a pandemic — and starting with a listening tour 23:19 | When things go wrong it's on me. When things go well, the credit belongs to the team 24:14 | One-way door decisions — the only ones that land on her desk 25:26 | Building your personal executive team — the cheerleader, the challenger, the champion 28:09 | The season that shaped her most: spring — and why she protects her explorer energy 30:30 | One thing Ania wishes she'd known sooner: how to really listen Resources mentioned: TaskRabbit: taskrabbit.comAnia on LinkedIn

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it's a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It's a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com. Season 5, Episode 4: Unfurling flourishing and leading like a gardener with Rhiannon White This week I'm joined by Rhiannon White — CEO of Clue, the world's number one women-led period and menstrual cycle tracking app, with over 10 million users across 190 countries. Rhiannon spent years watching CEOs from one level below and thinking: that looks lonely, stressful, and horrible. Why would I want that? She actively shut the door on it. And then a different kind of leader showed her it didn't have to look that way. In this conversation she talks about the gardening analogy she carries for the CEO role — preparing the soil, planting the seeds, making bets on corners of the garden, and then waiting. About the stone in the middle of the arch that isn't load bearing, but without which nothing holds. About leading in ways that nobody quite understands but that deliver results anyway. About the illusion of control that fertility treatment quietly dismantled for her. And about numbers up people down — the one piece of advice she wishes she'd known sooner. This one is for every woman who looked at leadership and thought: that's not for me. And then found a version that was. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I'd love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 02:32 | What does it mean to be in bloom — in work and in life? 03:28 | The CEO role as a garden — making bets, waiting, and not forcing things 06:38 | The click moment — discovering how much further a team can run together 08:26 | Watching CEOs from one level below and deciding: I don't want that 09:20 | What changed at Clue — co-CEOs and a different way of leading 10:25 | It doesn't have to be lonely: the CEO role is actually really fun 12:00 | The stone in the middle of the arch 14:32 | Twenty thousand hours in the cockpit — and still not always being heard 16:16 | He didn't understand how she did it, but she was doing it anyway 27:32 | All roles are caregiving roles when you're a woman — and why that matters for progression 30:27 | Fertility treatment and the illusion of control 34:11 | You can't just try harder — the myth that keeps women contained 34:53 | One thing Rhiannon wishes she'd known sooner: numbers up people down Resources mentioned: Clue: helloclue.comRhiannon on LinkedIn

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it's a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It's a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com. Season 5, Episode 3: From depletion to radiance with Sonal Bhatia This week I'm joined by Dr. Sonal Bhatia — physician, the first woman to serve as Chief Medical Affairs Officer in Pfizer's Rare Disease division, and founder of Ojas Vida, a wellness and leadership platform that bridges ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern healing. Sonal was checking every box. Highly successful. At the top of her field. And depleted every single night. Skin rashes. Restless sleep. A body sending signals she didn't yet have language for. It took her own health crisis — and the Western medical system's failure to connect the dots — to send her toward Ayurveda. And what she found there changed everything. In this conversation we go deep into what ojas actually means and why it matters for women in leadership. We talk about the high cortisol normal that most high-performing women mistake for being fine. About the Ayurvedic understanding of midlife as a transition, not a decline. About masculine and feminine energy in leadership — and what happens when women have had to suppress one to gain access to the other. And about embers. The kind of fire that warms rather than burns. This one is for every woman whose body has been trying to tell her something she hasn't had time to hear. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I'd love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 02:07 | What does it mean to be in bloom — in work and in life? 03:29 | What is ojas and why does it matter? 05:03 | How radiant was Sonal when she was in those big corporate roles? 07:02 | The body screams — skin rashes, inflammation, and the signals we ignore 09:22 | Divine intervention and the crossroads moment 10:13 | Getting stuck in the Western medical system she grew up in 12:00 | How Ayurveda healed what Western medicine couldn't 13:46 | The moment she chose to leave and go help people one by one 16:10 | Your Ayurvedic constitution — what it is and why it matters 24:59 | Midlife is not decline — it's a transition from fire to air 26:41 | The generation that rose the ranks and still had to run the home 30:41 | We had to suppress our feminine energy to get here — and what that cost us 33:50 | Leading with purpose — how Sonal's team of 300 transformed when they found their why 37:08 | One thing Sonal wishes she'd known sooner: every lesson arrived exactly when it needed to Resources mentioned: Ojas Vida: sonalbhatia.com Book a free 30-minute consult: sonalbhatia.com Sonal on Instagram: @sonalbhatia_md Sonal on LinkedIn: Sonal Bhatia MD Sonal's forthcoming book: The Bridge — integrating ancient wisdom and modern healing to enhance vitality

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it's a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It's a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com. Season 5, Episode 2: From best supporting actress to CEO — with Sylvia Kwan This week I'm joined by Sylvia Kwan — CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Ellevest, the women-focused wealth management firm on a mission to close the gender wealth gap. Sylvia is a quant by training, a self-described introvert by nature, and someone who told her founder point blank that she never wanted to be CEO. And then she became one anyway. In this conversation she talks about what it means to lead from a different kind of intelligence — quieter, less visible, but no less powerful. She talks about the scripts we write for ourselves about who we are and what we're capable of. About stepping into enormous shoes without a blueprint. And about wealthcare — her vision for a more holistic approach to wealth management that asks not just how do we build your wealth, but how do we build your life. This one is for every woman who has ever told herself she's not the leader type. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I'd love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 01:53 | What does it mean to be in Bloom — in work and in life? 02:29 | Are women hormonally programmed to put others first — and what happens when we stop? 04:09 | The chief care officer of everything except ourselves 07:39 | Stepping into the CEO role — and why Sylvia never wanted it 09:41 | When Sally stepped down and the call came anyway 13:50 | What she would say to the woman who thinks she's not the leader type 16:09 | Having a narrow definition of leadership — and what happens when you widen it 19:20 | Wealthcare: why optimising for wealth and optimising for life are not the same thing 33:06 | Confidence doesn't come from reading — it comes from small actions stacked 35:42 | One thing Sylvia wishes she'd known sooner: let go of perfection Resources mentioned: Ellevest: ellevest.comSylvia on LinkedIn Book a complimentary financial consultation at ellevest.com

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it's a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It's a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com. Season 5, Episode 1: Recovery, resilience and the real cost of building with Morgan Fowles This week, I'm joined by Morgan Fowles—seasoned operator, former CEO of TALA, and one of the most honest voices I've spoken to about what it actually costs to build. Morgan has spent over a decade scaling creative and fashion businesses, leading at every level from senior operator to chief executive. Under her leadership, TALA doubled down, hit record revenue, and opened its first physical stores. She stepped away at the top—not at the bottom—and is now advising and building again across fashion, wellness, and beyond. In this conversation, she talks candidly about burnout that looks like speeding up, not slowing down. About the quiet voice of "not enough" that lives underneath ambition. About self-esteem as a daily practice, the loneliness of the CEO seat, and why recovery might be the most underrated leadership skill of all. This is the opening episode of CEO Season—a limited series going inside the inner lives of female CEOs. And Morgan was exactly the right person to start it. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I'd love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 00:02 | What does it mean to you to be in Bloom in work and in life? 02:28 | Seasons within roles — and how to know which one you're in 05:19 | What burnout actually looks like when you're a builder 08:13 | From "not enough" to CEO — where does the audacity come from? 10:23 | Self-esteem as maths — how to stack the moments that feel good 23:58 | What Morgan is building now and why the wellness space is calling her 27:31 | What hits different about operating at CEO level — for good and for bad 32:06 | Why female leaders need to be visible — and what transparency actually gives other women 36:19 | One thing Morgan wishes she'd learned sooner: the power of recovery Resources mentioned:Morgan on LinkedIn Morgan on Instagram: @morgan.fowls

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com.   Season 4, Episode 9: Building, bootstrapping and becoming with Emily Lincoln Gordon This week, I’m joined by the brilliant and fiercely honest Emily Lincoln Gordon—former General Counsel turned COO, board director, executive coach, and founder ofTable Eight. Emily has spent over a decade building and running founder-led, high-growth startups—leading across legal, ops, people, talent, finance, and even product. She’s scaled what needed scaling, stepped into what needed shaping, and grown alongside every challenge. Now, she works with senior leaders as an executive coach, helping them do the same. She partners with VCs to deliver operations-focused founder bootcamps. Through Table Eight, she’s built a private network for outspoken women in senior leadership. And through it all, she brings radical clarity, real talk, and a fierce commitment to growth that doesn’t come at the cost of self. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it.   Timestamps: 01:31 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life? 02:59 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested? 07:34 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership? 10:34 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve? 13:36 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you? 18:26 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them? 27:53 | What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven?   Resources mentioned: Table Eight The Run Club Emily on LinkedIn Just the right amount, actually – SubstackEmail Emily at [email protected] or DM her on LinkedIn.

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com.   Season 4, Episode 8: Scaling people, purpose and potential with Michelle Cheng This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Michelle Cheng—Director of Talent at Notion Capital, former strategy consultant at Accenture, and someone who has spent her career at the intersection of purpose, growth, and people. Michelle grew up helping her parents run a market stall in Calgary. Today, she helps early-stage founders scale their companies with intention—building teams, culture, and leadership structures that are as human as they are high-performing. In this conversation, we explore what it means to lead with both empathy and excellence. Michelle shares the lessons she’s learned from consulting to venture capital, the personal growth behind the professional strategy, and how we can all think differently about success, power, and what it means to truly thrive. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it.   Timestamps: 01:49 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life?04:39 | How do you define success without sacrificing well-being?07:17 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them?14:45 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested?19:27 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time, how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before?23:38 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you?25:16 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve?   Resources mentioned: Michelle Cheng on LinkedInNotion Capital

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com.   Season 4, Episode 7: Authenticity, alignment and amplifying voices with Ness Monsequeira This week, I’m joined by the vibrant and visionary Ness Monsequeira—business psychologist, accidental technologist, and VP of People at Gorilla, a fast-growing Series B SaaS scaleup. Ness is a leader who brings equal parts heart and precision to the way we build cultures that actually work—for the humans inside them. She’s held leadership roles at Miro, Deloitte, PwC and Philips. She’s scaled culture in global tech. She’s redesigned learning strategies for some of the most complex corporate transformations in history. And through it all, she’s stayed grounded in one thing: human connection. In this episode, we talk about what it means to lead with integrity in fast-moving, high-growth spaces. Ness shares how her “corporate hippy” approach challenges traditional norms and invites something deeper—something more sustainable. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it.   Timestamps: 01:23 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life? 02:48 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time, how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before? 04:31 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth? 08:03 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you? 12:13 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them? 15:33 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership? 22:40 | What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven? 31:16 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve?   Resources mentioned: Ness on LinkedIn Ness Monsequeira Illustrations The Nature of Leadership + Career Newsletter

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com.   Season 4, Episode 6: Investing, innovation and inner knowing with Maria Shiao This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Maria Shiao—angel investor, tech strategist, and advisor to some of the world’s most innovative early-stage companies. Maria’s career spans decades of leadership in telecoms, finance, and emerging tech. She now operates at the intersection of innovation and impact, backing founders who are reshaping the future—and doing it with purpose. Her unique lens as an engineer-turned-investor is grounded in both rigour and intuition. In this conversation, we explore what it means to lead with conviction, to trust your inner knowing, and to navigate complexity without abandoning yourself in the process. Maria brings wisdom, clarity, and a quiet fierceness that makes this episode one to return to again and again. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it.   Timestamps: 01:59 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life? 03:11 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested? 06:18 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth? 10:01 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time, how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before? 11:50 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them? 18:32 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve? 24:08 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you? 26:12 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership?   Resources mentioned: Maria Shiao on LinkedIn Columbia University Club of London

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com.   Season 4, Episode 5: Mentorship, mobility and making change with Leila Thomas This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Leila Thomas—CEO and founder of Urban Synergy, an award-winning charity that’s transforming the lives of young people through mentorship and opportunity. Leila’s own career started in tech, working as a network engineer before moving into the City and eventually founding Urban Synergy while working at the BBC. What began as a passion project quickly became a powerful platform for change—one that’s now impacted thousands of lives across the UK. In this episode, we explore the power of mentorship, the importance of representation, and what it takes to build bridges for the next generation of leaders. Leila shares how her own lived experience shaped her mission, how she navigated male-dominated industries, and why she believes every young person deserves access to role models who reflect their potential. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 01:31 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life?07:48 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them?10:24 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested?11:20 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth?13:31 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you?17:12 What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven?21:27 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve?   Resources mentioned: urbansynergy.com Leila Thomas on LinkedIn

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com/. Season 4, Episode 4: Burnout, boundaries and bold leadership with Kelly Swingler  This week, I’m joined by the fierce, no-fluff force that is Kelly Swingler—global burnout educator, executive coach, and founder of The Burnout Academy. After two devastating burnouts—one that wrecked her health, the other that nearly ended her life—Kelly made a decision: this ends here. Now she’s on a mission to challenge everything we’ve been told about success, productivity, and performance culture. She trains the world’s leading burnout coaches and works with organisations to move beyond lip-service wellbeing. No tick boxes. No fluffy fixes. Just real, lasting change. In this conversation, we talk about how we got here—glamourising stress and normalising self-sacrifice—why burnout is not a personal failure, how to lead without losing yourself, and what it means to build bold, burnout-aware leadership from the inside out. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it. Timestamps: 01:13 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life?  02:14 | How do you define success without sacrificing well-being?  04:01 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you?  06:18 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them?  07:44 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested?  09:39 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve?  11:17 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership?  13:10 | What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven?  15:02 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time, how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before?  16:38 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth?   Resources mentioned: https://www.kellyswingler.com/ Mind The Gap → https://amzn.eu/d/dFoulwQ F*ck Burnout → Buy here](https://amzn.eu/d/46Fqdl8 Kelly on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyswingler/

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, these Women Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com/.   Season 4, Episode 3: Resilience, reinvention and rising to the moment – with Charmain Manning This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Charmain Manning—CEO of Urban, and a leader whose journey is a masterclass in adaptability, vision, and heart-led leadership. After building her career across strategy, finance, M&A, and consulting at Deloitte, Pearson and the Financial Times, Charmain joined Urban as CFO just before the world shut down. What followed was nothing short of transformational—navigating the business through Covid, expanding into new cities, launching new wellness offerings, and ultimately stepping into the CEO role in 2023. Urban is now the UK’s leading platform for on-demand massage and wellness treatments at home, and Charmain’s leadership is helping shape its next chapter with purpose and clarity. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to grow through disruption, the evolution from CFO to CEO, and how to lead with both operational rigour and deep care. Charmain shares insights on confidence, self-trust, burnout, and the inner work that sustains long-term leadership. It’s a conversation full of wisdom, warmth, and the kind of grounded ambition that truly inspires.       Timestamps:01:32 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life?02:59 | How do you define success without sacrificing well-being?03:29 | What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven?06:00 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you?09:45 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them?14:22 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested?16:30 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership?19:07 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time, how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before?20:18 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth?22:33 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve?

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, theseWomen Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com/.   Season 4, Episode 2: Strategy, strength and softness: redefining leadership with Clarissa Sowemimo-Coker This week, I’m joined by the incredible Clarissa Sowemimo-Coker—a woman whose career is marked by bold moves, grounded leadership, and a deep commitment to meaningful change. From leading a £16.5 million IPO on the London Stock Exchange, to steering a company through a successful Phase 1 clinical trial, to scaling operations and building thriving workplace culture from the ground up—Clarissa doesn’t just lead, she transforms. She brings strategic clarity, legal brilliance, and a rare ability to connect the dots—whether it’s shaping vision, navigating complexity, or building cultures that actually support people to thrive. She’s someone who steps up in a crisis, protects what matters, and leads with purpose. Oh, and her cockapoo Huxley usually gets her out of bed before the strategy does. This conversation is an invitation into her world—the world of visionary women leading big business transformation with heart, intelligence, and a touch of magic. Timestamps: 01:48 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life? 04:49 | How do you define success without sacrificing well-being? 05:49 | What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven? 09:51 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested? 12:17 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them? 16:49 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership? 18:08 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you? 21:36 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time—how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before? 23:33 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth?

Women Who Lead is more than a podcast—it’s a movement, a mindset, and a space for transformation. It’s a platform for real, raw, and radically honest conversations with women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. Rooted in the belief that true leadership begins within, theseWomen Who Lead invite us to break free from outdated models of power and success. Through storytelling, coaching, and a soulful newsletter that follows the rhythm of the seasons, it supports women to rise—courageously, unapologetically, and as their whole selves. This is a space for women ready to lead with more self-trust, more softness, and more power. Learn more at https://ourtimetobloom.com/.   Season 4, Episode 1: Courage, confidence and carving your path with Ruth Penfold In this unique solo episode, I turn the tables on myself and answer the questions I will be posing to my guests. I offer a behind-the-scenes look at my journey—what’s shaped me, what drives me, and the moments that have helped me become the woman I am today. I also reflect on the lessons I’ve learned from hosting, and how those insights have influenced my outlook on leadership, self-expression, and growth. To stay updated on future episodes, make sure you subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. I’d love to hear what resonates—so feel free to leave a review or reach out on social media. And if this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you feel seen, please consider sharing it with someone else who might need to hear it.   Timestamps: 01:13 | What does it mean to you to be ‘in Bloom’ in work and life? 02:14 | How do you define success without sacrificing well-being? 04:01 | Which season of your career shaped you the most, and how did it impact you? 06:18 | What challenges did you face as a woman in the male-dominated world of work, and how did you navigate them? 07:44 | How did you create and maintain confidence and authenticity in environments where those traits might be tested? 09:39 | What advice would you give to women on building confidence and asking for what they deserve? 11:17 | What’s your relationship like with your feminine energy? How do you balance masculine and feminine energies in leadership? 13:10 | What are your top strategies for preventing burnout while staying driven? 15:02 | We can’t possibly Bloom all of the time, how do you bounce back from setbacks or failures stronger than before? 16:38 | How has understanding the connection between mind and body influenced your life and career growth?

There is so much power in sisterhood.   I met this episode's guest many years ago through work, and it is a friendship that has endured through so many seasons of our lives.   Ji Son is a true woman who leads, and her strong values and sense of justice make her insights in today's podcast invaluable.   Ji Son Choi is a mission-driven, consultative Partnerships Strategist with 15+ years of media, agency and tech industry experience and is currently the Senior Partnerships Lead at Thanks, a retail media startup. She has worked with large, complex for-profit and nonprofit organizations, such as Samsung, AARP, Apple, Google, HSBC, Bank of America, Chase, and many others. Her wealth of experience is clear in all of her wisdom shared in our chat.   Her lessons on choosing companies whose cultures align with your authentic self are so important. We discuss my time at Shazam, and the power of making decisions through the lens of your core values.   In our conversation, we chat about workplace culture, self advocacy, the interview process, authenticity in the workplace, the power of sisterhood, and the practical ways that we can feel empowered at work through financial stability.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jisonchoi/ https://www.thanks.co/ https://www.shazam.com/en-gb