Different Hats Podcast
Download on the App Store

Different Hats Podcast episodes

  • Series 8 Roundup | Redefining Success, Mental Health & The Power of Asking for Help

    Series 8 has been one of the most powerful yet, a season of raw honesty, deep reflection, and inspiring resilience. Across sixteen extraordinary conversations, we’ve explored what it truly means to live, love, and lead with authenticity.


    From suicidal ideation to self-acceptance, childhood loss to creative rebirth, OCD to bipolar, miscarriage to motherhood, each story redefined success not as wealth or status, but as presence, purpose, and the courage to ask for help.


    This finale brings together the highlights and trailers from Series 8 (Episodes 115–130).


    💡 Key Lessons from Series 8


    • Success is a feeling of alignment, not a finish line
    • Asking for help is a gift, to yourself and others
    • Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose are the real drivers of fulfilment
    • Emotional education matters as much as academic achievement
    • From darkness can come light, connection, and meaning
    • The real measure of success? Presence over perfection


    🕒 CHAPTERS & GUESTS


    00:00 — Daniel Wilsher (E115) 

    01:24 — Joel Lawton (E116) 

    02:43 — Simon Chuter (E117) 

    04:27 — Sam Adams  (E118)

    05:55 — Asis Patel (E119) 

    07:13 — Howie McConnell (E120) 

    09:04 — Ashley Usiskin (E121) 

    11:14 — Abi Mellor (E122) 

    12:36 — David Eakins (E123) 

    14:25 — Oly Newton (E124)

    15:07 — Jon Kennett (E125) 

    16:53 — Max Marshall (E126) 

    19:17 — Dr Carlos Saba (E127) 

    21:59 — Sarah Willingham (E128) 

    23:21 — Jonathan Lea (E129) 

    25:03 — Matthew White (E130) 


    🌱 Closing Reflection


    From the depths of despair to the light of discovery, Series 8 reminded us that success isn’t measured by wealth or fame, but by how deeply we live and love. Every story, every voice, every moment shared helps shift the narrative, one honest conversation at a time.


    If this series moved you, share this episode with someone who needs it.


    And if you’re struggling, remember: asking for help is strength, not weakness.


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven — www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove — www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale — www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X — https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  • #130 What My Brain Tumour Taught Me About Life | Matthew White on Redefining Success

    At 39, Matthew White’s world changed overnight. A seizure on the football pitch led to a devastating diagnosis, an extensive, incurable brain tumour. In this deeply emotional Different Hats Series 8 finale, Matthew shares his journey of survival, hope, and redefining success in the face of uncertainty.


    He opens up about the physical and emotional battles of brain surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and the profound lessons he’s learned along the way, about time, presence, gratitude, love, vulnerability, and what it really means to live.


    Through his writing and advocacy, Matthew has become a voice for resilience and change, challenging stereotypes about masculinity, illness, and success. His words are raw, real, and profoundly moving.


    “I’ve learned to disregard time. It doesn’t matter how long or short it is, it’s what you do with it that matters.” — Matthew White


    Join Matthew and I was we explore themes of identity, perspective, vulnerability, fatherhood, curiosity, emotional literacy, and the courage to keep learning, no matter what life brings.



    ⏱️ CHAPTERS


    00:00 – Introduction

    05:30 – Redefining success and identity after illness

    10:00 – Living authentically vs. living society’s narrative

    15:00 – The importance of curiosity, learning, and participation

    20:00 – Finding joy in the small things

    25:30 – The seizure, the scan, and hearing the words “It’s cancer”

    33:00 – Family resilience and being home for Christmas

    39:00 – Controlling the controllables

    42:30 – Balancing hope and realism

    45:00 – Documenting his journey to help others

    49:00 – Processing trauma and finding control through learning

    56:00 – “Don’t give up — it will get better”

    1:03:00 – Building emotional intelligence through psychotherapy

    1:10:00 – Finding his voice again

    1:17:00 – The power of asking for help

    1:23:00 – Creating a cocoon of support and redefining vulnerability

    1:30:00 – Lessons from his children

    1:38:00 – Rethinking time and what really matters

    1:45:00 – The evolved version of Matthew White

    1:48:00 – Perspective: what really matters each day

    1:50:00 – The biggest lesson of all: never stop learning

    1:52:00 – Messages for his wife and children

    1:55:00 – Living in hope and staying one step ahead




    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Matthew White


    Instagram: @livingwithabraintumour


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below.

    Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.




    🎙️ SPONSORED BY


    Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    🎥 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 hr 3 min
  • #129 The Cost of Speaking Out | Courage, Conflict & Redefining Success: Jonathan Lea

    What does it really mean to speak your truth in a divided world?


    In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jonathan Lea solicitor, entrepreneur, and founder of The Jonathan Lea Network, for an honest conversation about courage, conviction, and authenticity.


    Jonathan opens up about growing his law firm, navigating controversy, and standing firm on his beliefs during one of the most polarising times in modern history. We talk about free speech, the fear of speaking out, and why honest debate, even when uncomfortable, is essential for personal and societal growth.

    From lessons in leadership and fatherhood to the rise of AI in law, this episode is a masterclass in integrity, presence, and redefining success.


    🎯 Key Themes


    • Redefining success through courage and authenticity
    • Free speech, emotional intelligence & healthy debate
    • The impact of COVID, censorship & social media
    • Leadership, balance & presence in fatherhood
    • The future of law and AI’s role in human creativity

    ⏱️ Chapters


    00:00 Introduction

    03:21 “How do you define success?” – career, family, campaigning

    10:16 Success as a feeling vs. milestones; surviving a tough market

    25:50 Should debate be taught in schools?

    27:00 Pandemic years: campaigning, reputation, and staying civil online

    33:48 Values vs. opinions: can relationships survive big differences?

    38:13 “Freedom movement,” Tommy Robinson, and division

    41:38 Immigration, patriotism, compassion & policy

    50:41 Who benefits? Foreign policy, media narratives, and nuance

    1:07:31 Why Jonathan spoke out during COVID

    1:10:05 Censorship, protests, platform bans & media framing

    1:20:36 Did speaking out hurt business? (what actually happened)

    1:26:38 Leadership vs. being anodyne; standing for something

    1:28:35 Lockdowns, collateral harms & vaccine passports

    1:31:41 Can opposing truths coexist?

    1:36:02 How to speak up safely (regulators, sources, IHRA, AI checks)

    1:43:35 How his firm uses AI (ChatGPT & Gemini) across legal work

    1:55:23 Will AI replace lawyers? Where humans still add value

    1:59:48 The next 5 years: tech, team, and growth mindset

    2:06:02 New fatherhood, balance & presence


    “If you truly believe in what you’re saying, you have to be willing to stand by it — even when it’s uncomfortable. Authenticity isn’t about being loud, it’s about being honest.”


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 CONNECT WITH JONATHAN LEA:


    Website: https://www.jonathanlea.net

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



    🙌 SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com


    🎥 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 hr 9 min
  • #128 “Success Is Freedom” Sarah Willingham on Work, Family & Being Present

    What does true success really mean? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur, investor, former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, and co-owner of the Brighton i360.


    Sarah opens up about:

    ✨ Why she believes success is freedom, the ability to meander through life on your own terms.

    ✨ The heartbreaking loss of her soulmate during Covid and what he taught her about presence, happiness, and living fully.

    ✨ Her bold decision to take her four children out of school for three years to travel the world and why she calls it the best decision of her life.

    ✨ The challenges of entrepreneurship in hospitality, surviving Covid, and leading through tough times.

    ✨ Why she doesn’t believe in a career path but instead a life path building businesses and choices around lifestyle, values, and family.

    ✨ The lessons she’d tell her 20-year-old self (and why polishing basil leaves became her metaphor for life).


    This raw and honest conversation shines a light on redefining success away from money, fame, or status, and instead towards balance, freedom, and presence.

    If you’ve ever felt trapped by society’s blueprint for life, Sarah’s story will inspire you to carve your own path and embrace the beauty of just being.


    ⏱️ Chapters:


    00:00 Defining success: freedom & presence

    06:00 Curiosity, chaos & why Sarah loves variety

    13:30 The flawed dictionary definition of success

    17:00 Walking, nature & recalibrating from adrenaline

    26:00 Diarising “nothing” & finding presence

    28:30 Taking kids out of school to travel the world

    39:00 Challenging the education system

    53:00 Finding her “thing” in business

    1:01:00 Entrepreneurship, resilience & the WHY

    1:07:30 Surviving hospitality during Covid

    1:10:30 Balance, chaos & polishing basil leaves

    1:14:20 Advice to her 20-year-old self

    1:17:00 What does a life well lived look like?


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Sarah Willingham


    Website: https://sarahwilligham.com

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


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Preston Insurance: https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/ - Episode Sponsor

    Search Seven www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove  www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale  www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 19 min
  • #127 Who Am I Becoming? Midlife, Meaning & Making Peace with Money - The Happiness Expert Dr Carlos Saba

    What does it really mean to live a successful life? Is success about achievements, wealth, or status or is it something much deeper?


    In this powerful episode of the Different Hats Podcast, I sit down with my good friend Dr. Carlos Saba, co-founder of The Happy Startup School. Carlos shares his journey from chasing external markers of success to redefining it as a feeling of alignment, acceptance, and agency.


    We dive into:

    • The evolving definition of success beyond money and milestones
    • Emotional intelligence and why schools must nurture curiosity, not just grades
    • Why shame, comparison, and old money stories hold us back
    • The idea of “Happy Money” and how our stories around money shape our lives
    • Midlife transitions, the “second mountain,” and asking Who am I becoming?
    • How to create your own blueprint for life and stop living by outdated societal narratives


    This conversation is packed with wisdom on presence, purpose, and emotional awareness, reminding us all that success is not about having more, but about being more.


    ⏱️ CHAPTERS


    00:00 – Intro What is Happy Money?

    06:02 – Redefining success as a feeling of alignment

    07:31 – From black belts to diaries: chasing early success goals

    12:45 – Why being still is so hard in today’s society

    17:56 – Childhood, conditioning & the stories we inherit

    21:27 – Is the school system broken? Emotional literacy & curiosity

    26:27 – Parents, teachers & environments shaping emotional awareness

    29:08 – Rage, shame & teaching children emotional intelligence

    32:43 – Can we measure emotional intelligence like grades?

    37:48 – The “Second Mountain” of purpose & contribution

    42:45 – Finding your values and purpose vs. chasing titles

    48:21 – Questioning the life blueprint: marriage, career & curiosity

    53:14 – Compassion, forgiveness & letting go of “the one way”

    55:41 – Feeling stuck? Where to start with transition

    59:10 – The First Mountain vs. the Second Mountain

    1:01:43 – Redefining money: Happy Money & financial stories

    1:09:51 – Scarcity, shame & abundance

    1:13:29 – What is happiness? Acceptance & agency

    1:15:35 – Responsibility, awareness & self-compassion

    1:18:31 – Life as an adventure, not a scoreboard

    1:20:29 – Chaos, stories & infinite games

    1:25:24 – Death, joy & making the game better

    1:29:13 – Agency, acceptance & connection

    1:30:13 – Summer camp, friendship & fulfillment

    1:33:30 – The key midlife question: Who am I becoming?

    1:36:02 – Closing tradition: Storytelling card reflection


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Dr. Carlos Saba


    Website: https://www.happystartupschool.com

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


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 39 min
  • #126 Habits for Happiness: Why Schools Must Teach Emotional Literacy | Max Marshall

    What if schools prepared young people not just to pass exams, but to live fulfilled, resilient, and happy lives?


    In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Max Marshall, a former teacher who left the classroom after 10 years to disrupt an outdated education system. Max now champions a vision for schools that prioritise emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-confidence over rote learning.


    Together, we explore how redefining success for children could transform not just education, but the future mental health of our society. From Habits for Happiness to emotional tolerance, Max shares practical ideas for parents, teachers, and leaders and why teaching children to manage their emotions could ultimately save lives.


    This is one of the most important and game-changing conversations I’ve had on the podcast to date.


    CHAPTERS:


    00:00 Introduction – Fixing what schools miss

    02:30 Max defines success: from popularity to fulfilment

    07:00 The danger of external validation & social media

    10:20 Teaching intrinsic success to children

    15:00 Rethinking competition, failure & resilience

    23:00 Why schools must change: outdated curriculum

    27:30 The problem with SATs and measuring success

    32:40 Emotional intelligence vs academic intelligence

    40:00 What children really need to thrive in life

    47:30 Pushback from schools & systemic barriers

    55:00 Habits for Happiness – practical daily routines

    1:05:00 Preparing children for secondary school & life

    1:20:00 Choosing who you want to become

    1:40:00 What success looks like for the next generation

    1:52:00 Closing reflections & the Different Hats card


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Max Marshall


    Website: https://lifeeducationcoaching.co.uk/

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

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-marshall-life-education/

    Follow Max here 👉 https://linktr.ee/maxmarshall.life.education


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven: www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove:  www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale: www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 59 min
  • #125 Redefining Success: Jon Kennett on Life, Loss & Leadership

    ⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.


    In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jon Kennett, agency director, family man, and someone who’s lived through the highs of ambition and the lows of loss.


    Jon opens up about how his definition of success has shifted over the years from chasing houses, cars, and financial milestones, to focusing on happiness, health, and the relationships that matter most.


    We dive deep into themes of presence, fulfilment, balance, and relationships from practical business lessons around leadership and networking, to raw, emotional conversations about mental health and suicide. Jon shares the heartbreaking stories of close friends he’s lost, the ripple effects on everyone left behind, and why breaking the stigma around these conversations is so important.


    This episode is both deeply human and practical with lessons on leadership, resilience, and the everyday sparks of meaning that keep us going.



    🔑 Key Themes
    • Redefining what success really means
    • Why fulfilment is about the journey, not the destination
    • Building genuine relationships over transactions
    • Lessons from Jon’s father and a childhood immersed in music & performance
    • Mental health, suicide, and the ripple effect of loss
    • Leadership, trust, and putting the right people in the right seats
    • Family, presence, and the everyday sparks of meaning

    ⏱️ Chapters


    00:00 – Opening & introductions

    03:20 – Redefining success: from cars and houses to health, happiness, and family

    12:15 – The pursuit vs. the destination: presence and fulfilment

    20:40 – Networking done right: building relationships, not selling

    31:00 – Growing up in music, confidence through performance, and lessons from his father

    42:30 – Validation, highs & lows of the music industry

    54:10 – Mental health, suicide, and losing a close friend

    1:06:00 – The ripple effect: multiple friends lost to suicide and how it changed Jon’s outlook

    1:24:00 – What needs to change: stigma, emotional education, and starting young

    1:38:00 – Leadership lessons: building trust and putting the right people in the right seats

    1:46:00 – Advice to a younger self

    1:47:00 – Staying present as a father and leader

    1:55:00 – Closing reflections: what sparks meaning in everyday life


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Jon Kennett


    LinkedIn: Jon Kennett


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY:


    H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/


    *If you’ve been affected by any of the topics in today’s episode, please reach out to local support services or find resources via Samaritans (UK) or equivalent helplines in your country.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr 57 min
  • #124 Living with OCD: How Oly Newton Found Freedom & Purpose

    At just 21, Oly Newton’s world was turned upside down. After surviving a severe mental health crisis and living for years with the daily challenges of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), he channelled his pain into purpose, becoming a speaker, advocate, and founder of LightsOnXP, a human-centred workplace wellbeing platform shaped by lived experience.


    In this powerful conversation, Oly opens up about how OCD has shaped his life, how he learned to manage it, and why it doesn’t define him. We dive into his journey from rock bottom to leading meaningful change, the importance of being truly present, and why human connection remains the most powerful tool for wellbeing in the workplace.


    This is an open, honest, and deeply human exploration of recovery, hope, resilience, and the courage to keep showing up, even when the lights feel off.



    Chapters

    00:00 —  Introduction

    04:12 — Oly’s early years and the experiences that shaped him

    10:05 — Hitting rock bottom: a turning point in his mental health journey

    17:46 — The power of speaking out and breaking stigma

    23:30 — Founding LightsOnXP: building a wellbeing platform shaped by lived experience

    31:18 — Redefining success: from surviving to thriving

    37:54 — Why human connection is the cornerstone of mental health in the workplace

    45:22 — Navigating balance and avoiding burnout

    52:16 — Authenticity and showing up as your whole self

    58:04 — The role of presence in recovery and leadership

    1:05:48 — Finding fulfilment in purpose-led work

    1:12:09 — Relationships, trust, and creating a support network

    1:19:33 — Practical steps for organisations to support mental health

    1:27:15 — Living with OCD: challenges and coping strategies

    1:35:42 — Lessons learned from lived experience

    1:43:58 — Advice for anyone struggling with mental health right now

    1:51:25 — Future plans for LightsOnXP and personal growth

    1:59:50 — Closing reflections & Oly’s definition of success today


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Oly Newton


    Website: https://www.lightsonxp.com

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


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven — www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove — www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale — www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X — https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions — https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 hr 3 min
  • #123 “I Didn’t Want to Die… I Wanted the Pain to Stop” | Mental Health & Masculinity

    ⚠️ Warning ⚠️ This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners. We do talk about suicide which we know can be distressing.


    At 38, David Eakins was moments away from ending his life on a railway bridge. On the outside, everything looked perfect, a great career, loving family, and strong friendships. But inside, David was silently drowning.


    In this deeply moving and honest conversation, David opens up about suicidal ideation, masculinity, shame, and his journey to healing. He reveals how a single question, “How are you, out of 10?” became the turning point that led him to therapy, vulnerability, and a new life of presence and purpose.


    Now leading Talk Club Brighton & Hove, David is helping other men open up and find hope through connection and conversation.


    This episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with trauma, grief or depression, or anyone supporting someone who is, or anyone ready to redefine what strength really means.


    ⏱️ CHAPTERS

    00:00 – “I climbed the railings of a bridge…” – David’s darkest moment

    03:05 – The weight of suicidal ideation: “I didn’t want to end my life… I wanted to end the pain”

    07:42 – The silent battle at work and feeling lost in plain sight

    13:18 – Early life, childhood masking, and belief systems about manhood

    19:50 – Marriage, family dynamics, and fear of being ‘found out’

    27:05 – The life-changing impact of being asked: “How are you out of 10?”

    34:40 – First steps into therapy and confronting buried trauma

    41:12 – Creating safe spaces: the birth of Talk Club Brighton & Hove

    48:30 – The power of community and emotional accountability

    56:50 – Shame, masks, and the myth of the 'strong man'

    1:05:15 – Male friendship, trust, and the art of showing up

    1:13:42 – Parenting, presence, and breaking generational cycles

    1:22:18 – When laughter is medicine: humour, humanity and healing

    1:31:40 – Business, burnout and redefining leadership through empathy

    1:40:55 – Mental health at work: what employers get wrong

    1:49:30 – Living with intention and building a new definition of success

    1:56:50 – David answers the 5 Pillars: Balance, Authenticity, Presence, Fulfilment, Relationships

    2:04:00 – Final reflections: “Be brave enough to speak before it's too late”


    🔗 Connect with David Eakins


    Instagram: @davideakins

    LinkedIn: David Eakins

    Website: https://happysapien.co.uk/


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    💬 If this episode resonated, please like, share, and leave a comment. Your support helps spread this vital message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com


    🎥 PRODUCED BY:


    H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 hr 8 min
  • #122 Redefining Success: Motherhood, Miscarriage & Meaningful Work with Abi Mellor

    In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Abi Mellor, co-founder of award-winning creative agency MOREVER, for a raw and powerful conversation about success, leadership, loss, and living a values-led life.


    Abi opens up about her journey through motherhood, miscarriage, burnout, and business, sharing how she navigates these deeply personal experiences while leading impactful storytelling campaigns for global changemakers. We explore how her childhood shaped her, what she believes is broken in our education system, and how success for her is measured by love, presence, and purpose, not just performance.


    We also talk about creating emotionally literate families, leadership with vulnerability, the importance of slowing down, and why honest storytelling matters more than ever in a distracted, digital world.


    If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at the impossible juggle, or wondered how to hold purpose and pressure at the same time, this one’s for you.


    ⏱️ CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS

    00:00 – Intro

    02:48 – What does success mean to Abi today?

    05:51 – Childhood, co-parenting & shaping values

    11:30 – Creating MOREVER & purpose-led storytelling

    18:44 – Miscarriage, motherhood & the emotional cost of ambition

    26:20 – Vulnerability in leadership & business burnout

    35:10 – Reframing failure & making space for slowness

    40:22 – Phone addiction, presence & parenting in a digital world

    47:38 – Changing the education system & raising emotionally intelligent kids

    53:52 – Honest storytelling, holding space & creative leadership

    58:46 – Being a working mum: guilt, balance & emotional weight

    1:05:18 – Abi’s partner dynamic & redistributing roles at home

    1:09:14 – The cost of burnout: body signals & seeking help

    1:16:10 – Finding strength in slowing down & saying no

    1:19:42 – Letting go of perfection & embracing emotional truth

    1:24:00 – Navigating phone addiction and presence in parenting

    1:29:32 – On grief, miscarriage and language that heals

    1:35:20 – Changing the story: why emotional literacy matters

    1:40:48 – Final thoughts on success, love, and the legacy we leave


    🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:


    👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast


    🔗 Connect with Abi Mellor

    Website: https://www.morever.co.uk/

    Instagram: @moreverfilms

    LinkedIn: Abi Mellor


    💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.


    SPONSORED BY:


    Search Seven – www.searchseven.co.uk

    Nostos Hove – www.nostos-hove.co.uk

    Rivervale – www.rivervale.co.uk

    Plus X – https://www.plusxinnovation.com/


    🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2 hr 21 min

About Different Hats Podcast

From the publisher's feed

I believe everyone has a story to tell, through seeking true, authentic insights about the entrepreneurial journey, I provide a platform for our peers to share their stories and inspire those that…

More shows like Different Hats Podcast

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

8,325 Listeners

Sh**ged Married Annoyed by Chris & Rosie Ramsey

Sh**ged Married Annoyed

1,167 Listeners

Boj & Kate Have A Lot On Their Plate by Kate Lawler / Podmasters

Boj & Kate Have A Lot On Their Plate

63 Listeners

The Holiday Expert Show by Audio Always

The Holiday Expert Show

22 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

18,831 Listeners