Really Good Conversations

In this engaging conversation, Amy talks with Michelle Broadbent, a seasoned business strategist and founder of the Accountability Circle dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs.

Michelle opens up about the power of authentic connections, the importance of accountability, and reveals practical strategies for women facing common entrepreneurial challenges.

She discusses why traditional work-life balance is a myth, how to build genuine, supportive networks, and why accountability often requires external support.

Key Outtakes:

• Building authentic connections is essential to overcoming the loneliness often experienced by business owners.

• Accountability involves clearly declaring your goals to someone trustworthy who can help keep you focused.

• Women entrepreneurs commonly face challenges around cash flow, hiring effective teams, and managing time effectively.

• Work-life balance is more realistically a blend of priorities rather than a perfect equilibrium.

• Practical tips for accountability include visible goal tracking and making dedicated time to act on your business strategies.

This episode is packed with relatable insights and useful advice for anyone striving to navigate the realities of running their own business.

Michelle Broadbent:

Website www.michellebroadbent.com.au

Accountability Circle www.michellebroadbent.com.au/accountability-circle/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebroadbent/

Bettina Arndt has spent over 50 years in the media as a pioneering sex therapist and later as a vocal social commentator.

Join Amy as she explores Bettina's extensive career, starting in the 1970s as one of Australia's first sex therapists. They discuss the significant societal changes she has witnessed over the decades and her motivations for addressing topics many consider taboo or controversial.

Bettina shares insights into the evolution of sex therapy, the importance of including men's perspectives in relationship discourse, and the ongoing challenges of gender issues. She reflects on her evolving views on feminism, her experiences with early career criticism, and the lessons she hopes to impart to younger generations.

We were keen to speak with Bettina to understand what drives someone to consistently engage with 'taboo topics', despite facing media scrutiny and public backlash, and to explore the resilience required to sustain such a challenging career path over decades.

Topics discussed include:

• Bettina's early inspiration from sex researchers Masters and Johnson and her role in pioneering sex therapy in Australia.

• Societal challenges and backlash she faced while promoting open discussions on sex and relationships.

• The shift in her career focus from sex therapy to addressing broader societal issues, especially advocating for men's rights amidst modern feminism.

• How she has navigated public scrutiny and controversy.

• Her reflections on the changing landscape of gender discourse, the importance of fair treatment, and her vision for future societal changes concerning gender equity.

This thought provoking episode is perfect for anyone interested in the evolution of social attitudes towards gender, the dynamics of taboo topics, and the challenges of advocating for change in a shifting societal landscape.

Discover more about Bettina Arndt:

https://www.bettinaarndt.com.au/

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop, who left a career in investment banking to build a million-pound beauty brand from scratch.

Ning reveals how her personal struggles with eczema and acne led her to create affordable plant-based beauty products.

She shares honest insights on bootstrapping her business, pivoting successfully to online sales during COVID, becoming a TikTok sensation, and balancing motherhood with scaling her business.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How Ning made the leap from finance to beauty entrepreneurship

• Strategies behind successfully bootstrapping a million-pound brand

• Pivoting to online sales and embracing TikTok to drive rapid growth

• Practical insights on managing cash flow without external investors

• Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, and why perspective matters

Tune in for practical insights on career pivots, entrepreneurship, bootstrapping a business, and leveraging social media for growth. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, career-changers, and beauty industry enthusiasts.

For more information:

The Beauty Crop Website: https://thebeautycrop.co.uk/

"Not ​one ​moment ​defines ​you, ​but ​all ​moments ​do ​make ​you."

In this episode, join Amy as she speaks with Luke Cook, a remarkable entrepreneur who is no stranger to facing challenges and adversity in both life and business.

Luke recounts how the loss of his business in March 2020 due to COVID-19 led him to run a virtual coffee shop every morning for over a year, an experience that culminated in the creation of Cuppa TV, a platform dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations across diverse topics.

Luke shares how pivotal moments (good and bad) in life can be a catalyst for positive movements. He provides practical strategies for turning adversity into advantage.

Learn how to navigate life's puzzles with resilience and purpose in this engaging discussion, packed with insights and inspiration for anyone navigating their own path in business and life.

Key takeaways:

• Resilience Through Adversity: Luke recounts overcoming the loss of his business to COVID-19 and how it fuelled his next ventures.

• Power of Pivotal Moments: Discover how life's moments, good or bad, can catalyse personal and professional growth.

• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Gain strategies for transforming adversities into actionable opportunities.

• Building Community: See how Cuppa TV promotes diverse, impactful conversations and community strength.

• 'Moments to Movements' Philosophy: Luke shares how everyday moments can evolve into significant movements, inspiring personal and societal change.

For more information on Cuppa TV and Luke Cook check out the following websites:

Cuppa Website: https://cuppa.tv/

Luke Cook: https://lukecook.com.au/

Professor Byron Sharp is one of the most influential voices in modern marketing, known for debunking industry myths and reshaping how we think about brand growth.

As Director of the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute and author of How Brands Grow, he has transformed our understanding of consumer behaviour, brand growth and advertising.

In this episode, we explore the man behind the marketing science; his journey from academia to the real world of marketing, revealing the insights that have transformed his understanding of consumer behaviour and brand dynamics.

He shares his views on AI, branding, and why open-mindedness and scepticism matter.

We also challenge him to a game of True or False on some of the most debated marketing theories.

If you've ever questioned what really drives brand success, this one's for you.

Key Topics:

• Behind the marketing scientist – Professor Byron Sharp's journey from academia to influencing global brands.

• Debunking Marketing Myths - we challenge Byron to a game of True or False.

• Branding Bullsh*t - his biggest bug bear in branding/marketing

• AI in branding – Byron's take on whether technology is helping or misleading marketers.

• Open-mindedness vs scepticism – why both are essential in marketing (and life).

• Future Trends

For more information

• Ehrenberg-Bass Institute - The home of evidence-based marketing https://marketingscience.info/

• Books https://marketingscience.info/books/

• Professor Byron Sharp - https://www.linkedin.com/in/professorbyronsharp/

How can we build stronger, healthier relationships?

In this episode, Amy chats with Michelle Hayes, Head of Relationship Counselling at Marriage Care, a UK charity dedicated to supporting couples through their relationship challenges.

Michelle shares expert insights on effective communication, relationship myths, and navigating modern relationship challenges. From debunking the 'perfect relationship' to managing conflict and setting healthy boundaries, she offers practical tips for couples at any stage.

• The biggest myths about relationships – From the "perfect relationship" to the idea that passion always fades, Michelle debunks common misconceptions.

• Why communication is the #1 relationship challenge – How poor communication creates conflict and practical ways to improve how couples talk and listen.

• Navigating relationship struggles in modern life – The impact of work, technology, and external pressures on couples today.

• How relationship counselling works – What to expect from couples therapy and when to seek help.

• Practical tips for handling difficult conversations – The 'speaker-listener' approach and techniques to avoid defensiveness and conflict.

Whether you're in a long-term partnership or just starting out, this insightful conversation will help you nurture deeper, more fulfilling connections.

For more information and further resources:

• Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn
• Marriage Care Website: https://www.marriagecare.org.uk/
• One Plus One: https://www.oneplusone.org.uk/
• The Gottman Institute: https://www.gottman.com/

In this episode, Amy chats with Tom Pinchard, a seasoned creative who transitioned from leading a successful London agency to becoming a transformative coach. Tom now helps his clients grow and thrive across various aspects of their lives.

He reflects on his career journey, sharing how certain aspects of his work left him unfulfilled and searching for deeper meaning.

Since retraining as a coach, Tom has embraced the power of connecting with strangers, creating unique supper club dining events in London and LA that spark transformative conversations.

Tom also explores the importance of discomfort, questioning whether being "comfortable" truly serves us as humans.

Key Topics:

• Redefining Success: Tom's journey from creative agency leader to coach and finding fulfilment through change.

• Connecting with Strangers: How strangers offer fresh perspectives and foster meaningful connections.

• The Power of Discomfort: Why stepping outside your comfort zone is vital for growth.

• Conversation Starters: Tips for asking open questions to spark deeper conversations.

Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with personal growth insights, the value of discomfort, and the magic of connecting with strangers.

Find out more about Tom Pinchard at:

Website: https://www.tompinchard.com/

LinkedIn

We kick off 2025 with Colleen Callander, a trailblazing leader with over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, author of Leader by Design and co-author of Elevate.

Colleen shares her inspiring journey from leaving school as a 16-year-old sales assistant to CEO of renowned Australian fashion brands, Sportsgirl and Sussan.

We discuss her secrets to success, navigating burnout and how she overcame it. The challenges of balancing work and family, and the power of kindness in leadership.

Key Topics:

• Colleen's early career and leaving school for her first job in retail
• Rising through the ranks to CEO
• Overcoming burnout
• Leadership and Kindness
• Advice and tips for business and life

We also put Colleen on the spot with 3 questions from our pack of cards including 'If you came with a warning label, what would it say?'

Whether you're a leader, aspiring entrepreneur, or navigating work-life balance, Colleen's wisdom will leave you inspired to elevate every aspect of your life.

Find out more about Colleen at:

Website: https://www.colleencallander.com.au/

Human Elevation: https://www.humanelevation.com.au/

What if you could ask anyone, dead or alive, one question?

At the end of each podcast episode, we ask our guests: "If you could ask any person, dead or alive, a question, who would it be, and what would you ask them?"

In 2024, we welcomed so many inspiring and interesting people to Really Good Conversations. For this special episode, we've compiled the fascinating answers from every guest this year.

From historical icons to modern-day legends, discover who they'd choose and the burning questions they'd ask.

This episode offers a thought-provoking reflection on curiosity, inspiration, and the power of great questions.

Who would you choose?

Thank you for listening throughout 2024 – we look forward to bringing you more amazing guests in 2025!

2024 Guests include:

• Dr Delia McCabe
• Lucy Hitchcock
• Bethany Burns Bowman
• Tim Engelbrecht
• Charlotte Walsh
• Ned Walker
• Hermione Olivia
• Jem Fuller
• Lisa Hollinshead
• Tashi Dorjee
• Shannah Kennedy
• Rebecca Saunders
• Peter Anthony
• Melissa Browne
• Stacey McNeil
• Michele Ferron
• Georgie Davies
• Sue Atkins
• Hannah Springham
• Sarah Ward
• Genevieve Sweeney

Join Amy in this inspiring episode of the Really Good Conversations as she chats with British knitwear designer Genevieve Sweeney.

Genevieve shares how her passion for knitting began at age five, her mission to preserve UK manufacturing, and the challenges of balancing a family and growing business.

Learn about her commitment to craftsmanship, creating ethical collections, and the lessons she's learned from grassroots growth to building a thriving brand.

We discuss:

• Genevieve's passion for knitting and interest in preserving a dying craftmanship

• How her experiences working with global fashion brands inspired her to do things differently

• Staying true to her own values; even when it means going against industry norms

• Why sustainability and ethical production are central to Genevieve's business model

• Balancing a young family whilst building a business

• The future of knitwear production and how she strives to make a positive impact

A must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainability, creativity, and small business innovation.

Visit Genevieve Sweeney - https://www.genevievesweeney.com/