What does it take to turn adversity into opportunity?

Simon Woodroffe has lived many lives - he started as a stage designer for music legends like Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder, then took a leap of faith and built YO! Sushi into a global brand. But before his success, Simon faced struggles that could have derailed him entirely: a turbulent youth, including time in a young offender’s institution, and a personal crisis that left him at rock bottom.

In this episode, Simon opens up about his journey from hardship to entrepreneurial success. From pioneering conveyor belt sushi in the UK to launching the innovative Japanese hotel brand YOTEL, Simon has never shied away from reinvention. As one of the original Dragons on Dragon’s Den, he knows what it takes to take risks.

Simon shares how resilience, creativity, and an unstoppable drive helped him build a multi-million-pound empire and why he believes anyone can turn struggle into success.

We hope you find this episode inspiring and useful.

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosimonwoodroffe/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yosimonwoodroffe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yosimonwoodroffe

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@yosimonwoodroffe

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host: Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Hana Walker-Brown, and Bill Griffin

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Who better to explore the road to resilience than someone who has endured one of the most dramatic falls from grace?

Tom Hayes was once a high-flying city trader, living a life of wealth and status— until the notorious LIBOR scandal in 2015 changed everything. Convicted and imprisoned, he lost his fortune, his luxury cars and his home - all while maintaining that his conviction was unjust. His trial also brought an unexpected revelation— his Asperger’s diagnosis, which he argues played a crucial role in his actions and the case against him. Here are Tom Hayes’ three crisis comforts.

Full episode: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/libor-scandal-trader-tom-hayes-on-prison-anger-and-aspergers/

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host: Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Hana Walker-Brown and Bill Griffin

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Paul Stewart is a former England footballer who played for Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool. But behind the success was a harrowing secret – years of unimaginable childhood abuse at the hands of a trusted coach. He shares his powerful journey from suffering to recovery – a story of pain, resilience but lasting hope. Here are Paul Stewart’s three crisis comforts.

Full episode: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/england-star-paul-stewart-on-turning-a-secret-trauma-into-a-mission-of-hope/

Links

Twitter: @PStewy103

Website: https://paulstewartofficial.com

Paul’s book ‘Damaged: My Story – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damaged-My-Story-Paul-Stewart/dp/1910335738

Safeguarding Fundementals – https://safeguardingfundamentals.com

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host: Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Mabel Pickering

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Sensitive content: this podcast contains discussions of child abuse and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Paul Stewart is a former England footballer who played for Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool. But behind the success was a harrowing secret – years of unimaginable childhood abuse at the hands of a trusted coach. He shares his powerful journey from suffering to recovery – a story of pain, resilience but lasting hope.

After decades of silence, Paul found the courage to speak out, becoming a leading voice for safeguarding in sport. The trauma he endured led him to some dark places, but his story is one of survival and relentless advocacy. He co-founded the charity SAVE with fellow former players to support abuse survivors and launched the Paul Stewart Official Excellence in Safeguarding programme, delivering vital education to organisations like the English Football League.

I hope you’ll agree that this episode is a tough but essential listen. Aside from his eloquence and bravery, Paul provides vitals lessons for those who have suffered trauma.

Paul's book 'Damaged: My Story - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damaged-My-Story-Paul-Stewart/dp/1910335738

Safeguarding Fundementals - https://safeguardingfundamentals.com

If you or anyone you know has suffered from child abuse and you wish to talk about it, please consider these resources:

NSPCC - 0808 800 5000

NAPAC - 0808 801 0331

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Paul McKenna is not just a world-renowned hypnotherapist; he’s a one man self-help powerhouse, a best-selling author, and a sought-after behavioural scientist who has helped thousands overcome their greatest challenges. And now with his new book Power Manifesting – he is on a mission to empower as many as possible to lead a better and more productive life. Here are Paul McKenna’s three crisis comforts.

Full episode

https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/paul-mckenna-on-purpose-gratitude-and-living-your-full-potential/

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iampaulmckenna/

Twitter: @ImPaulMcKenna

Website: https://www.paulmckenna.com

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/a1RQvgA

Charities

https://veterans-aid.net

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host: Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Mabel Pickering

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Paul McKenna is not just a world-renowned hypnotherapist; he’s a one man self-help powerhouse, a best-selling author, and a sought-after behavioural scientist who has helped thousands overcome their greatest challenges. And now with his new book Power Manifesting – he is on a mission to empower as many as possible to lead a better and more productive life.

With his signature blend of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and psychological techniques, Paul has an unshakable belief in the power of the mind. In this episode he shares his personal insights on navigating crises, achieving resilience, and unlocking our true (often untapped) potential.

We hope you find it helpful.

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iampaulmckenna/

Twitter: @ImPaulMcKenna

Website: https://www.paulmckenna.com

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/a1RQvgA

Charities:

https://veterans-aid.net

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host: Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Mabel Pickering

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Having arrived in Britain as a five-year-old refugee fleeing the Nazis on the Kindertransport, Dame Stephanie Shirley went on to build one of Britain's most successful software companies. She built a business valued at $3 billion and has dedicated the last three decades of her life to philanthropy, giving away most of her personal wealth. Here are Dame Stephanie’s three crisis comforts.

Full episode

https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/dame-stephanie-shirley-on-91-years-of-resilience-and-brilliance/

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damestephanie_/?hl=en

Website: https://www.steveshirley.com/

Book

Let It Go (2019): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Go-Extraordinary-Entrepreneur-Philanthropist/dp/0241395496

Charities

Autistica: https://www.autistica.org.uk/

Autism at Kingwood: https://www.kingwood.org.uk/

Prior’s Court: https://www.priorscourt.org.uk/

The Oxford Internet Institute: https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/

The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists: https://wcit.org.uk/

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host – Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Having arrived in Britain as a five-year-old refugee fleeing the Nazis on the Kindertransport, Dame Stephanie Shirley went on to build one of Britain's most successful software companies. Using the pen name ‘Steve’ to be taken more seriously by clients, she built a business valued at $3 billion, turning 70 staff members into millionaires along the way. But her impact goes far beyond the business world. Dame Stephanie has dedicated the last three decades of her life to philanthropy, giving away most of her personal wealth. Once the 11th richest woman in the UK, she’s the only person to drop off the Sunday Times Rich List due to generosity.

Inspired by her late son, Giles, who was profoundly autistic, Dame Stephanie has helped transform care for those with autism along with supporting a range of other causes. In this episode she shares stories from her childhood, her career and her personal life – all of them packed with invaluable lessons. A former podcast guest of ours, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, wrote the foreword to Dame Stephanie’s brilliant memoir, Let it Go; and described her as “ ... a role model for how to build your life, not just your company.” She wasn’t wrong.

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damestephanie_/?hl=en

Website: https://www.steveshirley.com/

Book

Let It Go (2019): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Go-Extraordinary-Entrepreneur-Philanthropist/dp/0241395496

Charities

Autistica: https://www.autistica.org.uk/

Autism at Kingwood: https://www.kingwood.org.uk/

Prior’s Court: https://www.priorscourt.org.uk/

The Oxford Internet Institute: https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/

The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists: https://wcit.org.uk/

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host – Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering, Linus Fielder, Linus Difford

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

Katie Melua has sold more than 11 million albums and picked up 56 platinum awards along the way. She had her first hit aged just 19 and was thrown immediately onto the treadmill of writing, recording, tours, promotion. More hits followed, but not without a very heavy price - her sudden fame contributed to an acute psychotic breakdown in 2010. Here are Katie’s three crisis comforts.

Full episode

https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/100th-guest-special-singer-katie-melua-on-teenage-fame-a-psychotic-breakdown-and-how-she-found-her-way-back/

Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiemeluaofficial/

Website: https://katiemelua.com/

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host – Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering, Linus Fielder

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod

In our first live podcast recording at the 2024 CBI Annual Conference, Andy speaks to Dawn Airey CBE, one of the most remarkable figures in British media. In front of an audience of business leaders and policy makers, they discussed resilience and reputation along with the crises and triumphs that have defined her career.

Dawn has spent her career thriving on challenge, and along the way earned a reputation as a bold and unapologetic trailblazer. For some who couldn’t keep pace she became Scary Airey or Zulu Dawn.

From her early days at ITV navigating a world she has described as rampantly sexist, to launching Channel 5 where her passionate leadership and sharp vision put the channel on the map, Dawn’s career has been nothing short of a masterclass in resilience.

But it has also included some significant setbacks, including when she left Sky TV to join what she thought would be a global media business, but which turned out to be something, just eight days later, to something very, very different.

Today, as Chair of the Women’s Super League, Dawn is shaping the future of women’s football.

In this short episode she provides some brilliant lessons for anyone looking to be a stronger leader.

Links

CBI: https://www.cbi.org.uk/articles/2024-annual-conference-highlights/

Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm

Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk

Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682

This podcast is brought to you by Crisis What Crisis? Productions and Coulson Partners

Host – Andy Coulson

CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Mabel Pickering, Linus Fielder, Linus Difford

With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global

For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

FOLLOW CRISIS WHAT CRISIS?

Instagram – www.instagram.com/crisiswhatcrisispodcast/?hl=en

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@crisispod