Our upbringing, and the patterns and behaviours we carry, shape how we show up in our relationships and work. These patterns often stem from past trauma or difficult family dynamics we don’t fully recognise. Left unaddressed, they can lead to harmful behaviours, strained relationships, and limitations on our personal and professional growth.

Christina Kisley understands deeply how our past affects us and how vital committing to personal growth can be. This means being willing to dig into our own experiences, even if it feels uncomfortable or scary. Facing ourselves is one of the hardest things we can do, but it’s also the most rewarding.

This conversation will help you

• Learn practical approaches to healing past trauma and addressing its impact on relationships and leadership
• Understand the importance of cultivating healthy relationships in personal and professional settings for long-term growth
• Discover strategies for navigating fear and embracing personal responsibility as a leader and parent

Highlights

• [00:03:47] The Drama Driangle
• [00:08:20] Leadership through a family lens
• [00:12:43] The unexpected gifts of motherhood
• [00:15:56] What it means to say "yes" to being a leader
• [00:19:30] Christina's biggest fears
• [00:22:37] How do you learn?
• [00:23:54] You can't think your way through
• [00:27:01] Relationship University
• [00:31:38] What Fearless Forward means for Christina
• [00:32:25] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Karpman drama triangle
• Connect with Christina via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Fear can take over our emotions, cloud our judgment, and leave us feeling powerless. It’s easy to feel trapped when we’re unsure how to move forwards.

John Peters dealt with extraordinary fear during his captivity. But he focused on controlling his mind and his responses, even when everything else was beyond his control. He refused to let fear define him and made a promise to himself that he would not let fear take away his power or identity.

In this conversation with Sally-Anne, John shares a number of details from his time in captivity you may find upsetting. However, this episode will help you

• Maintain resilience and self-control in the face of extreme adversity
• Navigate fear and uncertainty in high-pressure situations
• Learn how personal growth can emerge from traumatic experiences

Highlights

• [00:01:50] Meeting John
• [00:06:30] John's mantra
• [00:10:35] Post-traumatic growth
• [00:13:57] Managing fear and other emotions
• [00:19:45] Stronger as a collective
• [00:21:08] A new normal
• [00:23:06] What is confidence?
• [00:29:59] Coping with intense public attention
• [00:36:18] "A litany of failures"
• [00:42:52] Acceptance
• [00:46:44] Beyond the walls
• [00:48:56] Calm, committed
• [00:53:38] What Fearless Forward means for John
• [01:00:03] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with John via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Emma Draper faced a huge challenge when her life suddenly changed. Her marriage ended, she became a single parent to three boys, and her business was struggling. On top of that, the pressures of keeping her home and supporting her family felt overwhelming. She also battled long Covid, which left her physically drained for years.

Emma found a way forward by taking control of her situation. She refused to stay stuck in fear and started making changes. She restructured her business, reconnected with her team, and focused on her health. She looked at every area of her life and worked to improve it step by step.

Emma had worked for years without a clear sense of her “why”. Being so occupied with work and life without that clear purpose can lead to burnout and a loss of confidence. We risk feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the people who rely on us. Without action, these pressures can snowball.

This episode will help you

• Reflect on personal fears and use them as motivation to take actionable steps toward change
• Develop a strategy for balancing personal and professional responsibilities while maintaining self-care
• Create a detailed plan with incremental steps to achieve significant long-term improvements at home and in your work

Highlights

• [00:05:59] A late-night epiphany
• [00:11:53] The hard work begins
• [00:13:02] A mission of change
• [00:15:27] Using Velvet as a force for good
• [00:21:55] What's next for Velvet
• [00:25:43] The key to a successful life
• [00:28:15] And then Long COVID hit
• [00:35:16] Incremental steps
• [00:37:19] What Fearless Forward means to Emma
• [00:38:37] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Emma via LinkedIn
• Velvet
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

It's all to easy to get caught up in work, achievement, or the daily grind. If we’re not careful, we can lose sight of ourselves and the love we have to give and receive. The way forward is to focus on kindness. This means being kind to others and, just as importantly, to ourselves.

Matt Dean’s experience – his continuing battle with cancer, his brush with death, and his moment of spiritual awakening – shows that love and kindness are at the heart of everything good. Even in the face of fear and hardship, kindness can guide us to live more fully and meaningfully.

Without kindness, life can feel empty, even when we’re busy. We can end up working hard but missing out on what truly fulfils us. Struggles can feel heavier, and fear can take over when we lack a foundation of love and goodness.

Take a moment right now to pause and reflect. Think about one simple act of kindness you can do today, whether for someone else or for yourself. Then, go and do it. These small steps can change everything.

Reasons to listen

• Explore how living with cancer shaped Matt's perspective on love, kindness, and leadership.
• Understand the transformative power of facing mortality and embracing vulnerability in personal and professional life.
• For ways to cultivate kindness and compassion in everyday interactions, including with yourself.

Highlights

• [00:07:00] Being a positive cancer role model
• [00:14:51] Facing your mortality
• [00:17:40] Finding the love
• [00:22:04] Matt's spiritual experience
• [00:25:13] Your humanity is all that matters
• [00:26:50] Becoming the Beardy Guru
• [00:30:24] Why Matt's not ready to retire
• [00:35:33] What Fearless Forward means to Matt
• [00:37:01] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Matt via LinkedIn
• The Soft Stuff: Reclaiming Kindness for the World of Work – Matt’s book
• Byrne-Dean
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Responsibility can be hard to let go of when we’re used to being the one everyone relies on. This burden often leaves no room for joy, creativity, or the things that truly fulfil us. We get stuck in patterns of doing what we think we should do, rather than what we deeply want to do.

The way forward is to create space for ourselves. This means stepping back from some of the things that weigh us down, even if they’ve brought us success. It’s about choosing to pursue what lights us up and leaning into the magic of life. By doing this, we can rediscover joy and find new ways to contribute meaningfully.

In this conversation, successful consultant turned author Tierah Lothbrok explores how we can recognise the responsibilities that are truly ours and let go of the rest, so we don’t risk losing touch with ourselves.

Reasons to listen

• Learn practical strategies for letting go of excessive responsibility while maintaining success and finding more joy in life
• Discover how to recognise and break free from patterns of success addiction that may be blocking personal growth and fulfilment
• Explore ways to bring everyday magic and creativity back into your life while maintaining professional achievements

Highlights

• [00:05:45] Knowing it's going to be OK
• [00:10:51] Navigating self-doubt
• [00:15:15] Time to rediscover joy
• [00:17:37] Going into the unknown
• [00:18:52] Addiction to success
• [00:25:29] Accelerating through difficult moments... but not rushing
• [00:27:58] That Tierah has learned about herself
• [00:29:41] How to bring magic into every day
• [00:35:49] Decide
• [00:38:23] What Fearless Forward means to Tierah
• [00:38:43] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Tierah via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Sometimes as leaders we face situations that feel overwhelming, whether it’s uncertainty, financial struggles, or the fear of letting others down. These challenges can take a toll on our mental and physical health, and even our confidence in moving forward.

But we can overcome these tough moments by staying focused, being resourceful, and never giving up.

In this episode, Caffe Nero founder Pablo Ettinger shares how he managed to navigate both personal risks and business challenges by maintaining a clear vision, leaning on the right people, and preparing with a plan B.

Letting fear or stress control us leads to poor decisions, burnout, or to us giving up on something that could have succeeded with just a little more effort or support. But there are small, deliberate actions we can take to move forward, and hopefully, someone close you can turn to for guidance.

Reasons to listen

• Discover practical strategies for handling high-stakes business situations while maintaining composure and making thoughtful decisions rather than reactive choices.
• Learn how successful entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty and financial challenges by leveraging support networks and maintaining a clear vision.
• Understand the importance of balancing personal wellbeing with business responsibilities when facing stressful leadership situations.

Highlights

• [00:02:02] Meeting Pablo
• [00:04:23] When things are out of your control
• [00:08:35] Never give up
• [00:10:00] To the edge of fear
• [00:12:53] There's always a way
• [00:16:46] Working with others
• [00:17:38] Taking the leap
• [00:27:30] Bringing music to Caffe Nero
• [00:30:40] Talent Banq
• [00:33:32] Bringing musicians to the mountain
• [00:37:08] What Fearless Forward means to Pablo
• [00:38:15] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Pablo via LinkedIn
• Talentbanq
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

When Osian was born after only 23 weeks, he had to fight through countless medical complications. For his mother, Georgina, it was an exhausting time filled with uncertainty, pushing her to her limits as a parent and caregiver.

Despite this, Georgina focused on creating a life filled with love, joy, and connection for Osian. She embraced her role with determination, learning complex medical care and ensuring her son felt loved and supported every single day.

Sadly, Osian’s short life ended in March 2023, but Georgina has kept his memory alive through Osian’s Fishes, a fundraising scheme to help hospitals acquire more cot soothers for babies spending weeks or months in hospital.

Reasons to listen

• Learn how to transform adversity into meaningful action by hearing how Georgina channeled personal tragedy into multiple projects that help others.
• Discover how to maintain strength and purpose while facing extreme uncertainty and emotional challenges.
• Understand how focusing on love and connection, even in the most difficult circumstances, can provide clarity and direction when navigating life's toughest moments.

Resources

• Osian’s Fishes fundraiser
• Osian’s Fishes Facebook page
• Connect with Georgina via LinkedIn

Failing to prepare and adapt can lead to dangerous situations, like getting lost in treacherous conditions. These outcomes can be life-threatening and make it difficult for us to reach safety.

Arno de Jong faced that when taking his friend on a winter hike in the Alps. They encountered more snow than Arno had expected, which posed a risk of avalanches and made navigation difficult.

In his conversation with Sally-Anne, Arno recounts his adventure, how he dealt with the fear and led his friend to safety, and what his encounter can teach others.

Reasons to listen

• Hear an inspiring story of partnership, decision-making, and overcoming fear in high-stakes situations.
• Discover how to effectively assess and adapt to unpredictable conditions in challenging environments.
• Learn about the importance of having contingency plans and being ready to adapt to changing circumstances.

Highlights

• [00:01:21] A simple winter hike
• [00:05:03] Breaking in to escape the cold
• [00:14:48] A steep and icy climb
• [00:25:35] Arno's risk assessment grid
• [00:29:11] Post-adventure analysis
• [00:33:00] What Arno learned
• [00:37:43] Mountains speak, wise men listen
• [00:40:35] What "fearless forward" means for Arno
• [00:44:24] What we’ve learned

Resources

• Connect with Arno via LinkedIn
• AlpAdventures
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

 At some point in our lives, we all get scared.  Scared of making the wrong decision of not being a good parent or that everyone will figure out. We're just making it up as we go.  I'm Sally-Anne Airey and I've spent years helping leaders like you work through stress, fear, and uncertainty.  As the Navy's first serving mother and award-winning author, I'm now bringing my ideas on courageous, compassionate leadership to my new podcast.

Fearless Forward.  It's for founders, leaders and business owners who feel like they're constantly fighting uphill and not finding the balance they need to be effective at work and present at home.  In every episode, I'll share strategies drawn from real life stories to help you lead with courage and vulnerability. 

You'll learn how to embrace your humanity, transform your fear into lasting purpose. And lead your team through the tough times while still making space for your family.  This isn't another talk show where insight is buried in an hour of friendly chatter. Each episode will equip you with clear ideas and techniques you can apply immediately in your own life.  You'll hear from leaders you haven't heard from before. Founders, thinkers and change makers who've faced their own tough transitions and come out stronger. People who've rebuilt careers after burnout or found new paths when the old ones crumbled.   If you are ready to find balance and lead with courage and compassion, follow the [email protected].