From her seminal experiences working in Telecomms in Europe to co-founding Working the Future - Cathryn Barnard is a passionate believer in the power of relationships.

With the world still recovering from the Covid pandemic, we have seen the outbreak of conflict in Europe, with employees asking what it means for their organisation. But more specifically what are their leaders going to say in response.

In this episode of Comms from the Shed we discuss the human need to feel a sense of safety and security, why digital environments may be inhibiting us, and the changing role of communications.

"Digital communications have marginalised our relationships and sense of community", Cat tells us.

So how do we improve the workplace experience in 2022 and beyond?

Raised in Glasgow's Coatbridge in the 1970s to a father who worked at British Rail and a mother who was a District Midwife, Greg and Pat Kane were discovered in 1983 after being in various bands as students. As their demo was being played on Radio Clyde, a chance meeting with a manager led to a debut single ('Here Comes Everybody') capturing the interest of record labels in London.

The single 'Labour of Love' broke them into the mainstream, and their early albums such as Seduced & Abandoned and Remote led to sell out tours. In the 90s they learned to live outside of the major label system, and have continued to diversify the way they've sold their music and concert tickets as they've retained a loyal fanbase.

As lockdown restrictions have started to ease, they are about to go back on the road - both at Pizza Express jazz clubs in their intimate Piano and Microphone show, before joining Paul Young and Carol Decker of T'Pau in the Essential 80s UK tour in the Autumn of 2022.

LinkedIn Changemaker and Executive Career Coach Andrew MacAskill talks to us about the recruitment landscape in 2022.

Why are so many talented people still not being hired and have we really lost the human in human resources?

We discuss new trends such as the great resignation, #showthesalary, fractional careers and video interviews.

We also discuss the importance of knowing your personal brand, having a content strategy on LinkedIn and how companies are moving away from traditional hierarchies to a much more fluid model in the world of hybrid working.

In a fascinating story Wayne takes us through his childhood - born to a first generation Windrush family in North West London - and growing up on the same street as renowned jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan. Through seminal experiences, gained from a combination of his musical family tree, his Church and local community groups, he sang in choirs such as the London Community Gospel choir. During a stellar career he has backed artists as diverse as Blur, Leona Lewis, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston.

He talks about his heroes and mentors such as Karen Gibson MBE, who led the Kingdom Choir (which included Wayne), to sing at the Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in front of a worldwide TV audience of over 1bn people in 2018.

Can we be better managers of people? Be more emotionally intelligent? And why do we choose to manage people, are we even in it for the right reasons? Why do 42% of people leave meetings having said nothing? Why do we find it hard to get in touch with our emotions at work, and could being more future oriented help us perform better?

These are all questions explored with leadership coach Catherine de la Poer in our latest podcast episode. In a very candid interview Catherine reflects on being thrust into a management position at the age of 22, and by her own admission was someone who 'didn't really like people at that time'.

For any self-respecting leader or HR / Comms professional operating in the new world of hybrid working - our conversation is well worth a listen - if you even a passing interest in self-development, self-awareness or emotional intelligence.

'To stay alive and vibrant you periodically need to refresh or re-invent yourself' - Mireilla Guiliano

Mark Forsyth is former Global Head of Communications at Yoox Net-A-Porter, and founder of Mark Forsyth Ltd - a strategic Brand and Communications consultancy.

With over 20 years experience as a Retail consultant and Comms professional, Mark has spent a considerable time directing global campaigns for some of the most prestigious brands in fashion, beauty, fragrance, electronics and home.

He's worked at House of Fraser, John Lewis, Liberty, and is now Director of Communications at online start-up Sproutl, who, with their female CEO Anni Noel-Johnson are backed by Index Ventures - also backers of Deliveroo and Dropbox (amongst others) - and are also supported by ethical investment funds.

We talk start-ups, tomato chutney, low ego environments, the joy of dog-walking and so much more.

Sproutl is a new UK Tech Startup dedicated to demystifying gardening, making it accessible and fun, inspiring fresh new audiences across the country who may never have planted anything before. We bring the best in gardening from phone to your door for patios, pots, windowsills, and backyards.

Music by Gavin Calder and Sam Bleazard.

From Fintech blogger to a full time career in corporate communications, Shaun ran and managed a strategic multi channel function for 10 years. In that time he has also created numerous side hustles and publishing enterprises, such as the Mantle and Mister Editorial (which have given him a great deal of personal fulfilment). Join us in the Shed for a discussion on all things Comms, but also a reflection on the spirit of entrepreneurialism that many discovered during the pandemic.

After completing her studies in the late 1990s at St. Andrews and The University of Glasgow, Susie emerged with a BA and PHd for Molecular Biology, and Oncology and Cancer Biology respectively.

Since then she has worked in the NHS as a Research & Development Manager, worked for Glasgow City Council on Health and Improvement programmes and also for the Scottish Government.

She appeared on BBC Radio 4 with Nicola Sturgeon on Woman's Hour and is also passionate about music and the arts, having been a backing vocalist and session vocalist for various artists, including Lewis Capaldi. She performed at the closing ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, having worked as part of the organisational team.

She became a mum for the first time in 2020 - during the pandemic - and recently joined the Board of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival.

What is it like to experience rejection in your career? Even the most successful in their field have experienced it.

Gregory Porter is a successful singer songwriter, who began his career in New York as a chef, before he was discovered and got his big break as a musician in his 30s.

During the pandemic he returned to cooking, one of his childhood loves, and now presents a new TV show - The Porterhouse with Gregory Porter (hosted from the family kitchen in Bakersfield, California) - where he celebrates food, music, family and giving back.

Join us for a Comms from the Shed exclusive where we talk to Gregory about the interconnected nature of all the things he loves most - food, music, acting and presenting.

We also discuss the influence of his mother and father on his song writing, the music of his childhood, why New York has been so important to his career, and his special relationship with the U.K.

We talk to Charlotte Fletcher, the Head of Development at Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich MIND - about the challenges posed by an organisation who deliver vital local services. We cover a range of subjects, including the mental health of pregnant women, teenagers during Covid-19, and the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

She tells us about dealing with dementia, having to close local support centres because of financial struggles (due to staff wages and building costs), but also how important it is for carers to have support, because they often see their loved ones deteriorate very quickly.

We also look at the importance of the recent local, and London mayoral elections, and what that might mean for the provision of mental health services in the UK.

Charlotte tells us how she's been able to use skills in Press, PR and Event Management - developed early in her career - to great effect now, and what BLG MIND's connection to Rita Ora's hairdresser is.