with Alec Pearson, Lizzie Cousins and Chelsea Dickinson

In this episode, Alec Pearson speaks to Lizzie Cousins and Chelsea Dickinson from C&D Debt Recovery to uncover how a moment that could have stopped their careers instead sparked a bold new chapter.

After finding themselves redundant, Lizzie and Chelsea took a leap many think about but few commit to — building a business of their own. What follows is a grounded conversation about resilience, partnership and the practical realities of starting again.

In this conversation we explore:

1. How redundancy became the catalyst for launching C&D Debt Recovery
2. The early decisions, preparation and homework that set them up for success
3. Why communication and shared values are the backbone of their partnership
4. The leadership qualities they lean on most — honesty, integrity and confidence
5. The balance between working in the business and building on it
6. Strategy, growth and the importance of taking steady, sustainable steps
7. What they’ve learned — and what they want others to know before making the leap

Whether you're considering a business of your own, navigating uncertainty or simply curious about the realities behind a start-up story, this episode offers encouragement, insight and practical takeaways.

You can find out more about C&D Debt Recovery at: https://candddebtrecovery.co.uk/

This episode comes with a free factsheet — sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson, Ellen Putz and Nick Sellers

In this episode, Alec is joined by Nick Sellers and owner of EP Talent Search and Executive Coach Ellen Putz, from the Netherlands, to explore the real and often hidden pressures of leading from the top.

In this conversation we explore:

1. Why imposter syndrome shows up even when you wear the CEO title
2. How leaders handle the pressure to appear confident and certain when they’re not
3. What vulnerability looks like in senior roles — and whether it strengthens or weakens leadership
4. The delicate line between being liked and being respected
5. How CEOs balance communication across investors, boards and their own teams
6. Why delegation can feel harder the higher up you go
7. The surprising loneliness of leadership — and how leaders cope with it
8. Where senior leaders find support, space and perspective when the stakes are high

Whether you're already in a senior role, preparing for one, or simply curious about what happens behind closed boardroom doors, this episode lifts the curtain and sparks reflection on what leadership really demands.

This episode comes with a free factsheet — sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson, Nick Sellers and Tiffany Barnard

In this episode, we explore why patience — something we’re taught to value — can sometimes get in the way of progress. We look at the moments where waiting becomes hesitation, where caution becomes procrastination, and where leaders unintentionally stall their own momentum.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The fine line between patience and procrastination — and why they’re not the same thing.
• How fear, perfectionism and lack of confidence shape timing in ways we don’t always recognise.
• Why leaders often wait for the “perfect moment” — and why that moment rarely arrives.
• When patience fuels sustainable progress and when it becomes a subtle form of avoidance.
• How passion, purpose and process influence our ability to act with clarity and conviction.
• Simple practices to judge timing more effectively so you don’t miss out on opportunities that matter.

If you’ve ever found yourself waiting… and not quite sure why, this conversation will help you see patience in a new light — not as a fixed virtue, but as something we need to use deliberately, not automatically.

This episode comes with a free factsheet — sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson

As we step into 2026, many leaders aren’t lacking ambition — they’re carrying sustained pressure.

Motivation has dipped. Clarity feels harder to access. And simply pushing harder no longer works.

In this short solo episode, Alec Pearson invites you to pause before you plan. Not to retreat — but to reset how you lead.

Drawing on recent conversations with senior leaders and his own experience of stepping back to think clearly again, Alec explores why motivation returns through clarity, not force — and how small, deliberate shifts can restore energy, judgement, and direction.

This episode reflects on:

• Why many leaders feel tired and demotivated, even after a break
• The strategic power of pausing in a high-pressure environment
• How clarity changes team ownership, trust, and accountability
• Why progress often comes from doing the basics properly
• Rethinking strategy and innovation for 2026 through experimentation, not acceleration

If you’re entering the new year feeling the weight of responsibility, and wondering how to lead with more purpose, focus, and sustainability, this episode is for you.

This episode comes with a free factsheet. Sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson, Harrison Ward and Nick Sellers.

In this episode, Alec and Nick are joined by Harrison Ward — known to many as Fell Foodie — whose journey from addiction and depression to hiking, outdoor cooking and public advocacy has inspired thousands.

We delve into the real story behind his transformation: the hidden struggles, the turning point that changed everything, and the steady, intentional steps that led him back to purpose and health. Harrison’s journey stands as a true inspiration for all of us.

We discuss:

1. What change looks like from the inside not the polished version, but the slow, uncertain, deeply human one.
2. Why rock bottom isn’t a single moment and how Harrison rebuilt himself one decision at a time.
3. The role of honesty, support and accountability when you’re trying to break old patterns.
4. How journaling, reflection and small wins shaped his recovery and fuelled the creation of Fell Foodie.
5. The power of authenticity and what happens when you finally stop wearing a mask.
6. What Harrison's journey teaches us about workplace stress, stagnation and the fear of changing direction.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, Harrison’s story is a reminder that progress rarely arrives all at once, it grows from small steps taken consistently.

This episode comes with a free factsheet. Sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson, Tiffany Barnard and Nick Sellers.

In this episode, we explore three foundations that shape how you show up at work: your identity, your values, and the reputation others form around you.

Many people move through their careers without ever stopping to ask who they really are — or whether their values still match the environment they’re in. And reputation? That’s created entirely in other people’s minds, often based on behaviour we’re barely aware of.

Alec, Tiffany and Nick unpack how identity forms, why values quietly drive so many of our decisions, and how reputation is shaped through perception, consistency and context.

We also touch on what happens when these three elements fall out of sync — especially during promotions or major career transitions.

In this conversation, we explore:

1. Why identity evolves over time
2. How values influence what energises or drains us
3. What really shapes reputation
4. The tension between how we see ourselves and how others see us
5. Why stepping into leadership often requires letting go of old habits

If you’ve ever felt misaligned in a role, unsure how others perceive you, or curious about how your values shape your impact, this episode offers a thoughtful starting point.

This episode comes with a free factsheet — sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson, Tiffany Barnard & Nick Sellers

Soft burnout doesn’t look dramatic — which is why so many leaders miss it. You’re still performing, still meeting deadlines, still showing up… but inside, something feels heavier. Flatter. As if you’re dragging yourself through the day and slowly disconnecting from the things that once gave you energy.

In this conversation, Alec, Tiffany and Nick explore:

• what soft burnout actually is (and why it’s often invisible)

• why high performers and perfectionists are especially vulnerable

• how stress creates “fog” that narrows your perspective

• the role of boundaries, overcommitment and fear of judgement

• why people often make the wrong life changes when burnout hits

• how to notice the early signs in yourself and in your team

This episode blends personal insight, psychological clarity and lived experience. Whether you’re feeling a little off, running on fumes, or leading people who may be struggling quietly, this conversation will help you recognise what’s happening beneath the surface — and what small shifts can start to make a difference.

This episode comes with a free factsheet — sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

with Alec Pearson, Tiffany Barnard and Nick Sellers.

Good work doesn’t always get noticed, especially in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

This episode explores the visibility gap: the space between the value you create and what people actually know about it.

We unpack why high performers often stay quiet, how this affects progression, and how to advocate for yourself without feeling like you’re bragging.

In this conversation:

• Why visibility isn’t arrogance
• How to talk about your impact with clarity and confidence
• What to do when others take credit for your work
• The mindset shifts that make visibility easier
• Practical habits for making your contribution visible

This episode comes with a free factsheet — sign up via: https://beyond-leading.captivate.fm/episode-factsheet

Welcome to Beyond Leading. This short introductory episode sets the scene for what you can expect from the podcast — real conversations about leadership, team dynamics, human behaviour, and the everyday pressures shaping modern work.

Across the podcast, you’ll hear a range of experienced voices exploring the decisions, challenges, and moments that define leadership today. No jargon, no glossy success stories — just grounded insight and ideas you can apply in your world.

New episodes are released every fortnight.

Follow the podcast and join us as we go beyond leading — and everything in between.