🎙️Inspiring Leadership Podcast: From Battlefield to Parliament – Al Carns DSO OBE MC MP

From a modest upbringing in Scotland to the frontlines of major global conflicts, Colonel Al Carns has dedicated his life to service. In this powerful episode, we sit down with the decorated military leader turned rising political figure to explore his journey through the ranks of the Royal Marines, his leadership in Afghanistan, and the personal sacrifices behind his decision to walk away from a promotion to Brigadier General in pursuit of public service.

Al shares what it means to lead with purpose, the values forged in war zones, and how he's now bringing that same commitment to change in Westminster as the newly elected Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak and Minister for Veterans and People.

This is a story of courage, humility, and unwavering dedication to making a difference—both on the battlefield and in the corridors of power. Don’t miss it. 🎧

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🎙️ Inspiring Leadership Podcast: Chris Barton – The Visionary Behind Shazam

How do you turn an "impossible" idea into a global phenomenon? Chris Barton, the founder of Shazam, did just that—creating a groundbreaking music recognition app long before iTunes, the iPhone, or the App Store even existed. Despite skepticism and major technical hurdles, his relentless innovation and creative persistence turned Shazam into a household name, with over 2 billion downloads and a $400 million acquisition by Apple.

But Barton's journey didn’t stop there. From shaping Google’s Android Partnerships to driving growth at Dropbox, he has continually redefined what’s possible. Now, he’s tackling AI-powered drowning detection with his latest startup, Guard.

In this episode of Inspiring Leadership, Chris shares his "Start from Zero" mindset, how he navigated setbacks, and what it takes to push boundaries in tech and entrepreneurship. 🚀

Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on resilience, innovation, and leadership. 🎧🔥 #InspiringLeadership #ChrisBarton #Shazam

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Liz McConaghy’s story is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. Originally from Northern Ireland, she joined the RAF on her 19th birthday, becoming the longest-serving female crewman on the Chinook Fleet. She was the youngest aircrew deployed to Iraq at just 21 and the only woman in her role for four years. Over a 17-year career, she completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, witnessing war from the skies.

But after leaving the military in 2019, Liz faced her toughest battle yet—PTSD, trauma, and a fight for her own life. Her powerful memoir, Chinook Crew Chick, became an Amazon bestseller, offering an unfiltered look at the highs and lows of her service and recovery. Now an award-winning speaker and mental health ambassador, Liz is proving that PTSD doesn’t have to define you—it can be a chapter that fuels growth.

Join us as we dive into her extraordinary journey, from flying combat missions to rebuilding her life and inspiring thousands. This is a conversation about war, healing, and the unbreakable human spirit.

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Zara Lachlan set three World Records rowing solo, unsupported and non-stop from mainland Europe to mainland South America from October 2024 to February 2025. 

Lachlan at only 21 years old, was the first female ever and youngest person to complete this route, and the youngest female to row from any mainland to mainland. On this 97-day expedition Zara faced stormy weather leading to a capsize, a large bite from a suspected barracuda, and regular hallucinations from extreme exhaustion.

This crossing pushed her physically as she rowed 16-21 hours a day but found the mental struggle from being in pure isolation during testing conditions for the first forty days, where the weather was against her for thirty-five of them, a significantly larger challenge.

Throughout the process Zara was raising money for two charities important to her, Team Forces and Women in Sport. 

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In this episode, we sit down with Nandu Govindankutty, the visionary behind CSuite Retro, an immersive leadership program helping C-suite executives identify and overcome blind spots as a team. With a career spanning fintech, cybersecurity, and digital innovation, Nandu has worked with global giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Barclays, and Qatar Airways, driving strategic transformation and innovation.

He’s also the founder of Balanced.Social, one of the world’s first AI-powered news platforms designed to combat bias through multi-perspective reporting. His passion for making an impact extends to leadership development, inclusive design, and social change—whether leading Barclays' 7,500-strong leadership program, launching fintech innovations, or supporting over 100 charities through Making A Difference Through Analytics.

Join us as we explore his journey, insights on tackling blind spots, and how technology, frugality, and purpose-driven leadership are shaping the future.

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With 28 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL Officer, Bill Wilson has seen it all—leading elite teams in combat, capturing war criminals, and shaping the future of Naval Special Warfare. From the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan to the cutting-edge world of software innovation, his leadership journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this episode, Bill takes us behind the scenes of his time at SEAL Team ONE, JSOC, and Special Operations Command Africa, sharing insights on high-stakes decision-making, teamwork, and adapting to change. We’ll also dive into his transition from military service to the tech industry, where he co-founded Alchemy and now works at Ridgeline Apps.

Join us for a compelling conversation about leadership, resilience, and the mindset needed to excel in both special operations and business.

Tune in now! 🎧

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sally Orange MBE, a pioneering mental health advocate, endurance athlete, and professional speaker who is redefining resilience. As a former Army physiotherapy officer with 22 years of service, Sally has transformed her personal battles with severe depression and anxiety into a powerful mission to challenge mental health stigma and ignite meaningful change.

Famous for running dressed as different pieces of fruit, Sally has completed over 85 marathons on every continent, earning multiple Guinness World Records, including the fastest marathon run as a piece of fruit! From the Everest Marathon to the World Marathon Challenge—where she ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 consecutive days—Sally tackles grueling challenges with a contagious smile, proving that even the toughest journeys can spark vital conversations.

Sally's dedication to mental health awareness has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous accolades, including an MBE for services to charity and mental health, the British Citizen Award, and the Soldiering On Inspiration Award. As the first female National Ambassador for UK Army Cadets, she has inspired thousands to embrace resilience and openly share their own stories. Her philanthropic efforts have raised nearly £1 million for various charities, reinforcing her commitment to making a lasting impact—one step at a time.

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In this episode, we sit down with Lieutenant-General Tom Copinger-Symes, the Deputy Commander of UK Strategic Command, to explore his distinguished military career and the evolving landscape of defense and strategy. From his early days with the Royal Green Jackets in 1992 to his leadership roles in the Ministry of Defence and on the front lines in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and Afghanistan, Copinger-Symes brings a wealth of experience and insight.

As the leader overseeing the UK's joint military capabilities—from cyber and space to special forces—he shares his perspective on modern warfare, strategic planning, and the future of defense. Tune in for an engaging discussion on leadership, innovation, and the critical challenges shaping global security today.

📢 Subscribe now and don't miss this deep dive into the mind of one of the UK's foremost military strategists!

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On this episode, we sit down with Rob Israch, President of Tipalti, a global finance automation powerhouse. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Rob has been instrumental in driving 100x growth at Tipalti, helping the company reach a staggering $8.3 billion valuation. Under his leadership, Tipalti has earned a spot on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Inc. 5000 lists for seven years straight.

Rob shares insights from his impressive career—spanning growth strategy, marketing, alliances, and international expansion—including his time at NetSuite, Intuit QuickBooks, and GE Capital. Tune in to hear how he’s helped scale companies to industry dominance and what’s next for the world of finance automation!

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Jilly is the founder of Beyond the Wire. She was an army spouse for nearly 20 years until the death of her husband, Colonel Nick Carrell, who died while serving in 2021. Her experience of navigating the bureaucracies, rules, and fragmented support available to bereaved Armed Forces families highlighted the need for increased focus on the issues and a desperate need to drive improvement and change.

In a professional capacity, Jilly has worked for a number of Armed Forces charities across policy, fundraising, and grant-giving roles. This combination of professional insight and powerful lived experience is at the heart of the mission of Beyond The Wire. Jilly is a passionate advocate for improving the experience of Armed Forces bereaved families.

She lives in Winchester with her two daughters, their four dogs, and two cats and writes fiction – some of which has recently been published.

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