Jeff Weigh

On this episode I share my interview with Garry Turner, Founder of the Listening Organisation  and the newly created 'Wellbeingchat' community, focused on courage and vulnerability.

On work-life balance Garry says;

Until about 18 months ago I would have believed that it was statement. I'm finding progressively that we try and keep them separate, when they're not. I see the term being out of date now. I prefer the term life-work quality.

Background

Garry talks very passionately and openly about mental health and his own challenges with this. His personal view is we've learned to be the man. Marketing plays a big part in this and even our partners at times encourage us to 'man up'.

He's an international sales manager on the one hand and on the other hand he has this deep rooted passionate to humanise things. As Garry puts it; his formal job, versus the passion with the Learning Organisation.

However, he was looking to leave his work organisation about 4-5 years ago. He had the realisation that he wasn't growing. As a result of this he became really curious about what was going on around him.

In Garry's words;

The Listening Organisation has evolved organically. It's centred around key pillars; purpose and values, trust, curiosity, listening and inclusion. The goal is to create 'safe spaces' where organisations can come together and get present.

We are dealing transaction-ally with one another. By just being a little bit vulnerable to say we don't know, could be the difference between having transacting and transforming conversations.

In terms of work, as a minimum we should be able to enjoy what we do. To love what you do is a golden chalice; the aspiration.

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Garry then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

If you liked this episode you can leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I share my interview with Leanne Davies, Founder of Run Mummy Run, the online community with 60,000 Facebook members focused on happier and healthier lives.

On work-life balance Leanne says;

It used to be the scales with the work on one side and life on the other. My work creeps into my life and my life creeps into my work. It's very different now.

Background

Leanne initially founded a Facebook group called Run Mummy Run. This was set up with 2 friends because they wanted to motivate each other if and when they couldn't always get to their running club. Further more, it was designed to fit around their lives as being mothers.

This has slowly grown from a few people.

Today (6 years later) they are now up to 60,000 runners! The group motivates people and as a result they meet up regularly. Similarly they do Park run and run races together.

In Leanne's words;

The community is built on togetherness and bonding. Consequently, 6 years on she still pinches herself by how much it's grown and how much people want to interact and support one another.

Run Mummy Run has evolved from being a hobby to becoming her passion. She's found her thing and Leanne says it doesn't feel like a job at all.

Leanne's passion comes from her dad and she's been supported by her mum and husband as well.

The bigger the community grows, the more energy and effort it takes to sustain it. At the heart of this growth continues to be the aim of encouraging more women to live healthier and happier lives.

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Leanne then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

Website

If you liked this episode you can leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I share my interview with Mark Whittle, host of the Take Fl1ght Podcast & Founder of Take Fl1ght and we explore how Mark came to put contribution at the forefront of what he was doing.

On work-life balance Mark says;

Everybody is very very different. Before we have an opinion on it, we have to define what work is and what life is. It's difficult to find balance and I don't think it exists.

Background

Mark created Take Fl1ght on the back of a real low point in his life. Stressed and anxious to close a big sales deal, he had a 'moment' on his walk from the tube station that day. Passing a number of homeless people he began to question his own life. As a result he decided that he was going to put contribution at the forefront of what he was doing.

The podcast is focused on drawing out the secrets to success that his guests have discovered along their own personal journey's. Whether that be professional athletes, entrepreneurs, business founders or lifestyle specialists.

The main goal of the podcast being to inspire listeners to take action towards achieving their own goals. Determined to normalise his guests as real people, Mark puts his sales skills experience to good use and is brilliant at interviewing each of his guests.

Mark openly admits that he's a very different person today. He's changing and learning all the time. As he's got older his motivation has focused on bettering himself.

Creating the Take Fl1ght podcast has been the best thing he has done in his life. The opportunity to speak to amazing people in a positive, uplifting way is incredible.

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Mark then please do start a conversation with him on;

If you liked this episode you can leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I share my interview with Sarah Williams, host of the Tough Girl Podcast & Founder of Tough Girl Challenges and we explore how Sarah came to create something that is 'tough and feminine'.

Recognised by the Guardian in 2018 as one of the top 10 most inspiring contemporary female adventurers, Sarah epitomises everything that Tough Girl is all about.

On work-life balance Sarah says;

Work-life balance is this wonderful dream and these fabulous words which get banded about and is something that I massively struggle with as I don't really have it. Sometimes I like to think I have it but generally I go from one extreme to the other.

Background

Sarah has an on-line brand called Tough Girl Challenges which is all about motivating and inspiring women and girls. Encouraging them to dream big, to live their life to the fullest as well as to travel, to explore, to get fit and to go on adventures.

She does this through a number of ways including; having a blog, a podcast, writing books and part of her mission is to increase the number of female role models in the media.

Since setting up Tough Challenges in 2014, Sarah has regularly stepped outside of her own comfort zone. She has taken on a number of her own challenges including; running the Marathon des Sables, hiking the Appalachian Trail in addition to cycling the Pacific Coast Highway and the Baja Divide.

Above all; it's important for women to see it to believe it.

Sarah loves interviewing other women and sharing their stories for the Tough Girl Podcast. These women are completing inspirational challenges and therefore they are going to increase the number of female role models in the media.

Tough and feminine is a thread that runs through our discussion which Sarah is hugely passionate about. Challenging some of societies models, norms and expectations that we've previously been encouraged to believe.

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Sarah then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter - https://twitter.com/_tough_girl

If you liked this episode you can leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I interview with Phil White, co-author of several brilliant books including Unplugged with Andy Galpin & Brian McKenzie, Game Changer with Fergus Connolly, 17 hour fast with Dr Frank Merritt - challenging some of our assumptions.

Background

Phil was a guest on the show in Series 1 (episode 5) and we pick up where we left off last time; talking about technology and social media and the impact that it's having on our mental health.

Having taken a 30 day sabbatical from all social media as an experiment whilst working alongside Kenny Kane, Phil has found it hard to pick up social media again and re-adjust to having that back as part of his life.

During the 30 day period he found himself challenging some assumptions and questioning the value and purpose of posting stuff on social media at all.

One of the things that Phil has been able to rediscover is the art of what he calls; long form conversation. Conversation whereby you are looking the other person in the eye, gauging response and observing body language as well.

Ask yourself; what is it taking you away from?

This is beautifully highlighted and illustrated by the 'Device free dinner' Campaign in which Will Ferrell is the star.

What Phil keeps seeing and coming back to is 'long form'. Magazines that he writes for have shifted their focus from short articles or hacks to now wanting more journal type articles.

He says;

Now, if you enjoyed the interview with Phil then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

Instagram

You can also find more details on their website 

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I interview with Simon Austin, sports journalist and Founder of the Training Ground Guru - shining a light on the work going on behind the scenes in professional football.

On work-life balance Simon says;

"I think it differs for each person and I'm not sure I've got in right. I love what I do and spend a lot of time engrossed in it."

Simon set up the Training Ground Guru in 2017 having previously worked for the BBC for over 10 years and as a freelancer for several national newspapers.

He didn't think there was enough information being shared and in order to understand what's going on, on match day you need to understand what's happening on the training ground during the week.

And so the Training Ground Guru was created; shining a light on what's going on behind the scenes in football. Very much breaking away from the traditional pattern of how things have also been done in the industry.

It's taken a while for Simon to build up that trust and respect with the clubs but the response has been great so far. As a knock on this has led to the media at different clubs showing an interest and getting involved as well.

I've been in journalism for over 20 years and always had a passion in this area. It's a growing area that hasn't really been covered.

If a reader says; 'that was interesting', then that's enough for Simon to take as acknowledgement for what he's set out to do in providing insight.

He's always wanted his own site and something that he's in control of; putting forward his own philosophy. There's definitely more freedom, however, Simon places a huge emphasis on 'thinking about your readers' and what they want.

In fact he thinks of them as his boss now.

Final take-away:

"Be yourself. There's a lot of pressure to conform and follow the lead of others. A lot of the time this is the road to ruin. Everyone has their own journey and their own story."

If you enjoyed the interview with Simon then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I interview Amanda Bate, Copywriter, Social Media Marketer and champion for putting your health first. As you listen more you'll understand why this is the case.

On work-life balance Amanda says;

"It's doing what you want in your work life and doing what you want in your time away from your work. For some people their life is their work. It's so personal."

Putting your health first has taken Amanda a lot of time and a lot of planning and ultimately culminated in her taking the leap of faith and leaving behind the comfort of the corporate world.

In her words; it was to achieve the best health, the best me; the best way I could present myself to the rest of the world.

Amanda was first diagnosed with Crohn's when she was pregnant. It knocked her sideways and she was referred to see a counsellor, which at the time Amanda thought was a little over the top!

However, it was incredible to talk to somebody. What resonated most was hearing the counsellor saying; without your health, you will not be able to look after your baby.

Living with a chronic disease can often wipe Amanda out. One of the best tonics Amanda has found for her own well-being, is simply getting outside.

"My purpose is writing content and raising awareness through using words; helping other companies to promote and market themselves."

Speaking candidly, it took Amanda 3 years to make the leap and leave an organisation that she'd worked in for 15 years.

Although she was working in communication and loving the world of communication, a lot of the writing she did was structured and regulated. Amanda had what she describes as an 'itch' that she needed to scratch.

This was where her blog started and through writing about her own illness, others started to find and connect with her.

Final take-away

"Believe in yourself. Try and knock some of those fears away. Just do it."

If you enjoyed the interview with Amanda then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I interview Andrea Goodridge, entrepreneur and owner of a business called Ad Florem and she's on a mission to help people understand more about 'energy in versus energy out'.

On work-life balance Andrea says;

"If you can find out what gives you energy and where you can add energy; that's where I get work-life balance. I make my own definition of work-life balance; I don't compare mine with anyone else's."

Andrea has a background of working within learning and development and has spent the last 20 years in this space.

In other words; she challenges leaders to challenge themselves. This includes thought processes, mind-set, how they're feeling, behaviour and the impact that they're having on other people.

Whilst others will be talking and focusing on resilience and burn out, Andrea is seeing something else with her work.

Leaders need to look inwards so that they can start to challenge themselves. There's a general feeling of leaders being overwhelmed. Andrea is seeing them literally 'falling off the table'. They don't have any energy left and they are losing sight of who they are.

Where no support is being offered (internally within organisations), leaders are looking outside and self funding development and opportunity to have time away from the chaos.

"I see my purpose as getting leaders to take time away from the chaos and focus on themselves."

This is what gets Andrea up in the morning because she knows that she's able to get leaders to take time away and focus on themselves.

In Andrea's line of work she sees that many leaders' focus is in on targets, systems or processes. They might be dedicating time to culture, teams, services or customers but what's missing is the 'them' bit.

Final take-away:

"You can't be a great leader if you can't be a great YOU."

If you enjoyed the interview with Andrea then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.

On this episode I interview Tim Roberts; speaker, thought provoker and business owner on a mission to ignite your enthusiasm.

On work-life balance Tim says;

"It's a fascinating topic as I think it's very individual. I prefer the term 'life-work balance' because that's the way around it should be. Our priorities change with age."

Tim has a background of working within learning and development for a number of organisations. 2018 has been a defining year for him as he struggled and came to terms with his own mental health. Emotional intelligence and being able to draw on this has enabled him to find the strength and the courage to be able to start to talk about this.

As 2018 came to a close, Tim set up Enthuse Coaching. He's now ready to embark on a different journey in 2019 and help others find ignite (or re-ignite) their enthusiasm for life and for work.

"I'd really encourage organisations to look at people as human beings and individuals and not be afraid of saying; 'this person needs something different right now'."

A previous boss was very good at recognising this when Tim was going through challenges in relation to his own mental health. On the other hand his employer did nothing. Tim doesn't think they knew what to do and as result did't want to put any additional pressure on him.

The message here is: ask your employees what they want (and not through a survey where they have to choose from 5 options).

"I see my purpose as making people think."

My work involves working with organisations to enable them to recognise what they are in control of and ignite or re-ignite their enthusiasm for their work.

Leaders play a key part in this and Tim asks the people he works with; what do you stand for?

Tim provokes many thoughts during our interview and talks passionately about not waiting.

He says; put the music on that you love, where the clothes you want to and spend the time with the people who mean the most to you.

Final take-away:

"Emotional Intelligence will get you further in life than anything else."

If you enjoyed the interview with Tim then please do start a conversation with him on;

Twitter

LinkedIn 

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes

On this episode I interview Di Murray, entrepreneur and the energy behind Coming up 4 air and creating space to breathe.

On work-life balance Di says;

"It's quite an over-used term. I've become sensitised to the term work-life balance; the holy grail of what we're trying to achieve. I wonder if it's less about having a perfect balance and more about what happens when we don't have choice in either of those arenas.

Di works with individuals and organisations to (in her words) hold the space for people to explore, ponder and be more curious. Noticing and doing some deep listening was ultimately the essence of how Coming Up 4 Air came about.

Allowing others the space to breathe, in a place free of agenda Di sees herself more as a guide and a facilitator. As opposed to being the expert who has all the answers.

People attending Di's retreats and workshops can expect an element of dis-comfort and intrigue which in turn builds trust through autonomy. Di sees her approach as a bit of an anti-dote to the craziness of the world.

Purpose

One of the things about purpose is it shifts. People would describe me as a passionate disrupter.

I set out to disrupt people's thinking based on what they know when they arrive on a workshop or retreat. I invite people to take risks in the space that I create.

Final take-away:

"Lighten up, laugh at yourself.

Straighten up, stand tall when you come into a room.

Speak up,use your voice for good."

If you enjoyed the interview with Di then please do start a conversation with her on;

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook

You can also find more details on their website

If you liked this episode then please do leave the show a rating and review on iTunes or the platform that you use to listen to podcasts.