This episode was a little experiment in format and what a brilliant one it turned out to be. I sat down with my youngest ever guest, Grace who, at just 16 years old, brings a clarity of purpose, a deep sense of values, and a grounded wisdom far beyond what anyone might expect from her age.

Grace joined my day job Salad Skills after completing work experience with us at just 15. From day one, she's shown all the signs of a future high achiever committed, curious, hardworking. But what truly sets her apart is her moral compass. Slice her in half like a stick of seaside rock and you'll find values running right the way through. She has an innate desire to do good, be good, and make choices that feel right.

In this conversation, Grace reflects on the people who shaped her - proof that one good adult can change everything.✨ Her reception teacher, who visited her nursery to introduce herself, making that early transition feel safe, calm, and exciting.✨ Her inspiring English teacher, Mr Rose, whose quiet encouragement helped her build self-belief, the skill she says has been her biggest learning curve so far.

Grace also shares insights on growing up, learning to trust herself, and embracing the person she's becoming. And just in case you're imagining the world's most flawless teenager… don't worry. She's totally relatable too - her one big wish is for her parents to stop nagging her about the state of her bedroom!

This warm, thoughtful, and uplifting chat is a reminder that young people have so much to offer; wisdom, perspective, resilience, and hope. And sometimes, they teach us more than we teach them.

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest conversation, I sit down with my lifelong friend Claire, a friendship that has spanned almost five decades.

For the first time publicly, Claire opens up about her decision to give up alcohol, not because she was an alcoholic, but because she realised she had never met the version of herself that didn't drink. This episode explores the surprising emotions behind that choice, the identity shifts that come with it, and the discovery that there is a fun, vibrant Clare without the glass in her hand.

We dig into the unspoken truth of friendship:

We think we know people so well, yet we rarely stop to ask why they believe what they believe or behave how they do. Why does Claire identify as an atheist? What shaped her views? What risks has she taken in her life and what has she learned from them?

This episode gently reminds us that the people closest to us still have untold stories, unseen moments of courage, and unexplored layers.

As always, we end with a fun, fast-paced "7 Questions Before You Go" a light-hearted quick-fire round that reveals even more quirks, preferences, and truths we've somehow never asked each other over the years.

If you love conversations that feel real, raw, and rooted in decades of friendship, you'll feel right at home in this episode.

Join me as I sit down with a remarkable guest - the wife of talented photographer Ben, who captured our corporate photos. In this episode, she shares her journey as a senior leader at a global beauty brand, exploring the power of energy, risk-taking, and passion in building a successful business.

We dive into her personal values of empathy, kindness, listening, and teamwork, and how aligning people with a shared vision creates true motivation. She explains why understanding her team on a personal level is vital, and how her emotional awareness helps her foster inclusion while sometimes challenging her to overthink.

From learning leadership lessons from senior female role models to navigating a career across the UK and the US, she opens up about bold moves like relocating her family during early Covid for an incredible professional opportunity and the lessons learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities, embracing change, and trusting the process.

We also touch on her daily rituals, literary loves, guilty pleasures in trash TV, and her philosophy of gratitude and living fearlessly. Her insights remind us that life is made up of moments, and the key is to immerse ourselves fully, both personally and professionally.

Key Topics Covered: • Building a business rooted in people, not just the brand • Aligning teams with vision and individual roles • Emotional intelligence in leadership: benefits and challenges • Mentorship and learning from senior role models • Navigating career moves abroad and the family dynamic • Philosophy of taking risks and trusting fate • Daily rituals, relaxation, and self-awareness • Gratitude, connection, and leaving a meaningful legacy • Bucket list and experiences over destinations

Memorable Quotes: • "True motivation is about taking the time to get to know people as a whole." • "This is just a moment in time." • "No one is that focused on yourself so don't worry about what people think." • "Say thank you to those who have given meaning to your life."

🎧 Listen on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. ✨ Follow @knowingyouwithsarah on IG for more stories

In this first episode, I sit down with someone who's known me longer than almost anyone, our producer and my friend of 43 years, Karen Pirie. Fitting episode to start my 60 at 60 - 60 conversations to mark my 60th birthday next year

What starts as a chat between old friends turns into a conversation full of quiet wisdom about the value of slowing down, listening, and the lessons we only learn when we stop rushing.

We talk about:🌿 The best pieces of advice given to KP (and why they still hold true).🪑 Why sitting on a bench might be the most valuable time in the world.💭 What you discover about yourself through lifelong friendship.

It's a gentle beginning to Knowing You - the podcast where we explore the people and moments that shape who we are.

🎧 Listen on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.✨ Follow @knowingyoupodcast for more stories, reflections, and 60 conversations to mark my 60th year.

This month marks four incredible years since the launch of The Big Balance Theory! What started as a way to capture the experiences and emotions of the COVID lockdown years through the voices of authentic, inspiring guests has become so much more.

Over time, we've reflected on every episode — uncovering insights, learnings, and stories that remind us that Big Balance Theory isn't really a theory… it's a journey.

Lockdown taught us the value of connection and conversation and, as the world shifts again, we find ourselves craving both more than ever.

In this episode, I share:

· The key learnings from four years of Big Balance Theory

· Why my three words for this season are Serendipity, Enough, and Lists

· The exciting launch of my new podcast: Knowing You with Sarah Cripps — a deeper dive into human connection, featuring guests from lost connections to lifelong friends I've never truly sat down with… until now.

💛 A special thank you to my number one loyal listener Steve Williams, and to Karen Pirie (KP) for her unwavering belief in both shows.

Tune in, reflect, and reconnect — because every conversation brings us closer to balance.

Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/

Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory [email protected]

Podcast engineer Karen Pirie

Twitter: @karenepirie

Big Balance Theory is sponsored by Salad Skills Ltd. A company passionate about matching and developing talent with forward-thinking and purposeful organisations. www.saladskills.co.uk

As a glass half full person, I've always been keen to explore people's strengths not weaknesses. Within my apprenticeship consultancy and coaching practices I use a range of strength based assessments and recently added the At My Best strength cards to my toolkit. This month's guest is co-founder of At My Best and Work Positive, an organisation committed to helping organisations like M&S and the NHS to, basically, work positively. As a Chartered Psychologist, Michele is passionate about bringing her 25 years of experience to create simple, effective solutions to creating a positive work culture and maximise the wellbeing of all. She truly advocates small changes to bring about big differences - a theme that consistently emerges from past conversations on this pod.

Michele's what 3 words to a road to happiness and balance for 2025:

· CONNECTION

· PROGRESS

· PLAY

Tune in to find out why

Her go-to book that would get her through isolation – A Month in the Country, J L Carr

For contact details see below.

Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/

Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory [email protected]

Michele Deeks (9) Michele Deeks | LinkedIn At My Best - tools to help professionals bring the best out of people – At My Best (Work Positive Limited) Work Positive - Work Positive

Big Balance Theory is sponsored by Salad Skills Ltd. A company passionate about matching and developing talent with forward-thinking and purposeful organisations. www.saladskills.co.uk

I'm joined by Graham Field, Thinking Focus coach and trainer, where we talk all things priority; the big life choices and day to day habits that can lead us down a rabbit hole of lost time. If you're anything like me, you set the day or week with best intentions but then life happens and everything goes to pot.

I first met Graham by chance at a business exhibition. Fast forward a few years and we worked collaboratively on a project for the residents of the YMCA giving them the tools and belief to build a life and career beyond homelessness and hostel living. We proudly won a National Training Award for this work back in 2009 and continued to stay in touch. This man, in my view, has work life balance nailed and above all he's authentic, values-driven and works with purpose.

Graham's what 3 words to a road to happiness and balance for 2025:

· PURPOSE: Inspired by Simon Sinek he always works to the 'Why' philosophy

· FOCUS: Making sure he focuses on all his 'balls of life'

· HELP: He knows the power of asking for help; we're not superhuman

Tune in to find out why

His non-fiction book that would get him through isolation – The Star Wars Empire Trilogy

For contact details see below.

Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/

Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory

[email protected]

Graham Field

www.linkedin.com/in/graham-field-2570864

www.thinkingfocus.com

Big Balance Theory is sponsored by Salad Skills Ltd - a company passionate about matching and developing talent with forward-thinking and purposeful organisations. www.saladskills.co.uk

This episode is a how-to conversation on ways to improve your body image, break free from binge eating and a diet mindset to one of growth, confidence and better choices in life and business

I'm in conversation with Terri Pugh, a transformative life coach who helps women build confidence in how they show up in the world. Through coaching, workshops, speaking events and hosting her own podcast, The Intuitive Eating and Body Positivity Podcast, Terri has helped 1000s of women to feel confident in their bodies, their choices, and their careers. As an intuitive eating and body image certified coach and a Nutritional Therapy graduate she lifts the lid on how to stop binge eating, break free from diet culture and feel happy in your body.

If you're a professional who struggles with self-doubt, body image pressures, and feeling like you don't belong at the table you're not alone. And while Terri's typical client is female, her work appeals to all genders, sizes and ages

Terri's what 3 words to a road to happiness and balance for 2025:

· EXPANSION – expand her mind and body socially, educationally and happily

· LIBERATION – working on self-freedom

· DISRUPTION – stop staying safe and be more authentically heard

Tune in to find out why

Her non-fiction book that would get her through isolation – The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – so she can just get 'lost'

For contact details see below.

Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/

Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory

[email protected]

Terri Pugh

(4) Terri Pugh | LinkedIn

Instagram Terripughcoaching

Terri Pugh | Intuitive Eating Coach - Terri Pugh

If you're familiar with the work of world-renowned Belbin Team Roles you'll be inspired by this conversation.

· Why understanding each person's team role is ever more critical

· The original research was carried out by Mrs Belbin who deliberately shone away from the limelight – a timely revelation to mark International Women's Week

· Face to face communication is becoming more prevalent

· Why reflecting on what we've achieved is vital

· AI has the potential to make us more 'human'

Jo's what 3 words to a road to happiness and balance for 2025:

· Team – we can only achieve so much by ourselves

· Slow-space – (we loved this) breathe, slow down and create pauses

· Reflection – let's just have some more 'wow' look what we've achieved!

Tune in to find out why

Her non-fiction book that would get her through isolation – Tolkein's Lord of the Rings Trilogy, especially chosen to reread to see how if her older lens sees things differently

For contact details see below.

Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/

Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory

[email protected]

Jo Keeler

(7) Jo Keeler | LinkedIn

Belbin www.belbin.com

This episode is bursting with all things positive but this is not to be confused with Toxic Positivity. Using a range of studies to back her work, Tillie shares with us the importance of purpose, values, emotions and language to create a truly authentic, meaningful and engaged team. Our conversation explores:

· Why appraisals don't work

· How to know your limit before burn out hits

· How to foster a culture of transparency

Tillie's what 3 words to a road to happiness and balance:

· REST

· ECO SYSTEM

· CHALLENGE

Tune in to find out why

Her non-fiction book that would get her through isolation – Happier by Tal-Ben Shahar.

For contact details see below.

Instagram: cripps.sarah and bigbalancetheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcrippsand https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-balance-theory/

Linktr.ee/bigbalancetheory [email protected]

Tillie Newnham Tillie (1) Tillie Newnham | LinkedIn Happy Work Hive – www.happyworkhive.com