Welcome to the kickoff episode of the We.Are.Powerful Podcast! Hosts James Russell (organisational change consultant and coach at Lead To Change) and Alex Sellers (founder of Blue Heron Training) introduce themselves and the mission behind the show: celebrating people and teams who make changes in themselves to transform results for others in their organisations and communities.

In this candid conversation, James and Alex share their personal journeys—covering topics such as overcoming adversity, addiction recovery, risk-taking, and the pursuit of authenticity. They discuss the importance of being present, embracing vulnerability, and finding meaning and joy in everyday life. The episode sets the stage for future interviews with inspiring guests who have made significant changes in their lives and work.

Key topics include:

• Authentic leadership and personal growth
• Overcoming addiction and mental health challenges
• The power of vulnerability and storytelling
• Embracing discomfort and taking risks
• Finding meaning, purpose, and joy
• Building positive workplace cultures
• The journey of self-acceptance and being “okay”
• The impact of connection and community

Useful links:

• Gabor Mate - Young Again episode
• Viktor Frankl - Man's Search for Meaning
• If you are struggling and need to talk to someone - The Samaritans
• Empowering Teams and Cultures Together | We.Are.Powerful