Podcast Producer Rob Lawrence sits in the interview seat for this one, extracting all sorts of home truths from me about what it’s been like for me to host this season, the journey its taken me on, and what might be coming up next.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in the episode:
Behind the Scenes with Rob: Rob discusses the intricate balancing act required behind the podcast, and how he experiences each episode raw, through his ears.

Rebranding Journey: Yes, I renamed the podcast mid-season. He told me not to. We clear this one up!

Spotlight on Unexpected Journeys: Rob shares his admiration for guests like Hannah Shergold, who transitioned from being a veterinarian and a military helicopter pilot to becoming a celebrated artist. We discuss the personal breakthroughs and leadership lessons derived from the diverse life paths of the guests this season.

The Essence of Authenticity: Rob emphasizes authenticity in podcasting – how spontaneous, profound dialogues foster a genuine connection with our audience and can really make a big difference to life’s struggles.

Reflections on Leadership and Mental Health: Podcasts are an awesome slow and long-form content for people really intending to learn new things that will make a difference. Podcasts in mental health are no exception and this one is having a big impact.

Future of the Podcast: Looking ahead, what is next?

01:04:09 Transitioning to website as main professional platform.

And go to the companion blog here.

Check out Rob and his business Podcast Plus Ltd here.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

Meet Cornelia Lucey, Chartered Coaching Psychologist, business owner, leadership coach, and author of a Routledge-published book - Positive Leadership in Practice: A Model for Our Future.

Although Cornelia and I are fellow alumni, I had never had a chat with her in person (ok, on zoom), and after reading her book I was delighted to get over an hour with her all to myself. She was thoroughly iinspiring to talk to and I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Here's a quick preview of what we discussed:

**Groundwork in Trauma-Informed Leadership:** Cornelia opens up about the significance of understanding trauma responses in the workplace—insightful for anyone aspiring to lead with empathy (or do we mean compassion)!

**Resilience as a Skill:** We agreed that deep in the fabric of our nervous systems, leaders can cultivate resilience, not just in themselves but across their teams.

**Embracing Emotional Agility:** Learn how your emotional responses can shape your leadership style and the overarching health of your organization.

**The Science of Safety:** Cornelia breaks down polyvagal theory in a practical manner, showing how safety and connectivity are critical to effective leadership.

**Leadership Refresh:** It's time to rethink what effective leadership looks like in the modern world. Cornelia proposes a fresh model that emphasizes human-centric values and empowerment.

**Self-Care Reimagined:** We tackle the often-neglected aspect of leadership—self-care. Not just for crisis management, but as an integral part of day-to-day resilience.

Some timestamps:

00:00 Organizational psychologist's mission: improve leadership quality.

05:21 Transitioned from teaching to global leadership development.

13:23 Leadership focused on people, strengths, and abundance.

20:30 Human experience in work and polyvagal theory.

23:52 Adapt communication to others' emotional states.

29:46 Human evolution shapes understanding of psychological health.

35:54 Building resilience through empathy and support.

41:18 Understanding connections, values, and strengths in leadership.

48:46 Prioritizing self-care.

50:49 Focusing on human behavior for high performance.

👉 Want more from Cornelia?

CLPL website: www.cornelialucey.com

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

Positive Leadership book: https://www.cornelialucey.com/the-book

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

This is the first time I’ve created an episode where I’m connecting you back to one of the very first episodes on this podcast, launched around a year ago. 

Trauma remains widely misunderstood. It is put in a box and left in a corner for therapists and psychiatrists to deal with. But this only reflects a very small portion of people. Most people affected by trauma are in our villages, communities, towns, workplaces. 

This episode is for you to get acquainted with the idea that trauma is transdiagnostic… it no longer fits into a neat diagnostic “box”.

It is way outside that box, and you can get up to speed right now!

02:00 Holding space for others.

05:29 Impact of modern world on human evolution.

07:08 Promoting awareness for inclusion and compassionate leadership.

10:30 Understanding trauma for better mental health recovery.

13:21 Nervous system freeze in extreme survival situations.

18:35 Navigating societal pressure: trauma reactions and norms.

21:02 Importance of allyship and understanding nervous system.

26:51 Overcoming trauma, exploring various therapeutic modalities.

 The podcast episode is largely informed by the fantastic essay "Trauma Needs a Rebrand - Trauma, Psychedelics, Limitations of Our Existing Models, and Exciting Alternatives" by Liam Farquhar that I highly recommend you read too!

To read the companion blog that goes with this episode click here 

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

This episode is a quick, energising and inspiring canter through the fields of coaching psychology, existentialism, neuroscience, leadership, and what it is like to be a senior leader inside the Division of Coaching Psychology! 

Dr. Natalie Lancer is absolutely a role model for me as she unashamedly brings a blend of psychology expertise to sit alongside deep knowledge and understanding not just through the eyes of professionals, but real-life people. 

As you can imagine I was especially interested to hear her thoughts on the emerging field of trauma-informed coaching alongside her deep dive knowledge of existentialism. 

I loved that I (mostly) could keep up with Dr Natalie, and her generosity and vulnerability in what she said. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did!

A snapshot of what we cover:

Dynamic Leadership; how to be available and really listen to a huge group of people.

Unblocking Progress: The hilarious analogy of Dr Natalie’s “inner plumber” leadership qualities, her natural skill as a connector, and how she drives change for progress.

Coaching for Now: the magic of what happens in coaching psychology practice.

Ethics and Adaptation: The vital role of ethical codes and ongoing professional development which coaching psychologists take very seriously.

Academic Vs. Applied Balance: The tension (or blend) between academic precision and real-time client communication in the leadership field.

Some timestamps:

00:00 Differing perspectives on existentialism and psychology.

07:03 Coaching psychologists have diverse backgrounds and roles.

13:52 Balancing academic language with practical client communication.

16:00 Using metaphor and heuristic to communicate knowledge.

22:15 Coaching academic leaders in unique leadership challenges.

26:27 Finding connections between coaching and different backgrounds.

29:25 Questioning expertise, critical reading, knowledge evaluation.

32:38 Integrating CPD into practice requires courage.

41:37 Positive experiences.

52:18 Chair of Senate at BPS, representing others.

You can read more from Natalie including her books, research papers and more, on her website, and you can message her on LinkedIn.

Read my companion blog to this episode on my website here.

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeDifferent

© 2024 Refreshing Leadership Podcast. All rights reserved.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

We are not mono-mind… and we do not think just one thing on any topic… but what about when you radically disagree with yourself? In psychology these are called “polarities” - opinions or thoughts that are literally polar opposites. Often they are pathologised and people try to get rid of them.

But did you know that this is an area of potential creativity you can set your mind to explore?

A great example I heard recently is the core of Gore-Tex technology – think breathable yet waterproof. These two polar opposites combine to make an extraordinary fabric used the world over.

If you are tussling over a gritty issue in your mind, this episode is for you!

Did you know there's a companion blog to each episode? Find this one here!

Here's a snapshot of what you'll discover:

The Inner Tug-of-War: The power of polarities – those annoying inner contradictions that can lead to innovation.

Behind the Contradictions: I share a practical exercise I learnt recently from Been Sharma https://instituteofcoaching.org/author/sharma-beena.

Archetypes and Inner Voices: I take this further and share how you can look beyond mere strengths and get into character archetypes as a way of more clearly hearing and noticing the diverse voices in our head.

Curiosity: Fire up your inner observer (the watcher at the back of the room of your mind, the one that listens to your thoughts all day long) and learn how to observe your own thoughts for insights and clarity.

Timestamps:

01:00 Exploring archetypes to understand polarities more.

04:20 Internal conflict can lead to frustration, weariness.

07:30 Freud and Jung show subconscious affects conscious decisions.

10:48 Balancing business roles and avoiding distractions.

16:13 Explore polarity management map for personal growth.

17:49 The struggle between organization and progress.

20:59 Work with me to improve mental health.

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeDifferent

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

Gracie Barry was 10 years old when she had a sudden idea, fully formed, about a Slime Ball Anxiety Monster called Jeff, who lives in her head, and ruins otherwise perfectly good days.

Within a couple of days, Jeff the manuscript had helped her explain anxiety to a doctor in a way she’d never managed before. It began to help the whole family find words to describe a thing that no-one can see.

And mum Lisa, already an established Mission-Led Content expert and business owner, had an idea. Along came Helen Hill, illustrator, and that was that!

Gracie is still shy, but she chattered away off camera to me, and you can hear her tell us about Jeff for the first part of the podcast. Then we get some time with Lisa who herself is a thoroughly fun person and definitely an atypical leader!

Some highlights:

• Child's Voice in Mental Health: Gracie shares her story of using 'Jeff' as a tool to articulate her anxiety, propelling her narrative into a helpful children's book.
• Evolutionary Business: Hear how Lisa turned the nightmare of redundancy during pregnancy into a tale of growth and tenacity for success.
• Shy Leaders: Lisa shares her initially reluctant journey to accepting her identity as a leader and the owner of her endeavors.
• Mission-Led Academia: Discover Lisa's conscious communication approach to writing anything (especially about mission-led business)!

Here are some timestamps:
04:43 When Jeff first explained Anxiety as a climbing slime ball.
13:03 Getting book in UK, feeling like real author.
17:00 Struggling with traditional leadership roles and perceptions.
19:46 Choosing words carefully shapes our lives.
25:06 Challenges in life lead to diverse paths.
31:28 The Mission-Led Content Academy offers ongoing support for growth.
37:02 Acknowledge small steps, avoid pressure of comparison.
45:16 Mental health support for leaders and teams.

Read the blog that accompanies this episode here. 

Buy the book! Funds will go towards the illustrator Helen, touring schools talking to kids about how to bring their ideas to life on a page!

Lisa’s website is great, also check out her facebook page where you can get to know her and her Mission-Led Content Village 

Check out Author-Illustrator Helen Hill

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

We know that hunter-gatherer societies are where our human evolution is still at. We know that we have not evolved at the speed that modern technology has so rapidly changed the world we live in. We know that in terms of human evolution, hunter-gatherer societies were simply one tiny gene shift away.

The group most impacted by this is children in schools, with modern high-stakes exams, sitting at desks, and highly structured environments. Humans simply didn’t evolve to learn best by a single adult instructing a same-age group of children. We evolved to learn by play, example, and practice. 

Happily, even small changes can make a difference. In this episode I share my experiences as a parent volunteer chaperone at our International School of Luxembourg’s Nature-Based Learning for Well-Being program, on a wonderful day out recently.

Here's a sneak peek: 

• How independent learning outdoors can bolster social and emotional confidence.
• The connections I see between trauma-informed spaces, neurodiversity, and their collective importance in shaping supportive environments.
• I share a little what I’ve learned recently about the evolutionary biology that is thought to underpin ADHD, that challenges the traditional medical narratives.
• Movement in learning isn't just beneficial, it's essential — echoing the natural ways our hunter-gatherer ancestors learned and thrived.

Some timestamps:

00:00 Modern life causing high stress.

06:27 Living in urban environments as “evolutionary mismatch”.

09:00 Neurodivergence.

11:38 Research on ADHD and hunter-gatherer societies.

16:32 Adding movement improves focus and learning.

22:45 Dogs in schools.

26:10 Embracing neurodiversity and trauma-informed approaches.

To follow ISL on facebook, use this link: https://www.facebook.com/ISLux/

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeDifferent

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

I had the privilege of engaging with Julia Vaughan-Smith, one of the pioneers of trauma-informed coaching, in whose footsteps I am trying to follow. 

Julia is an author of several books based on her experience as a psychotherapist and executive coach. She has spent years training other coaches in walking this often grey area between coaching and therapy - after all, if someone is truly a leader, they must bring their whole self into it, and this can demand some healing. 

Here's a taster of what we cover:

Trauma and the Brain: Julia sheds light on the critical intersection between trauma, neurodivergence, and coaching—beyond diagnoses.

Creating Safe Spaces: The art of fostering safe environments that honor clients' past experiences and support their present ambitions.

The Shadow of Protection: The balance of boundaries and the sometimes hidden aspects of the protector's role in leadership.

Innovative Engagement: Julia and I chat about the unconventional tools we use to connect with clients—even through the virtual interface of Zoom.

Pioneering Pathways: From psychotherapy to writing, Julia shares her transformative journey, offering wisdom for emerging leaders.

Embracing Uncertainty: The beauty of maintaining a learner's mindset in coaching.

Curiosity Over Diagnosis: The crucial difference between coaching and psychotherapy, as we emphasize presence over labels.

Flexibility in Goals: Inquiry into why intentions might sometimes serve clients better than rigid goals.

Leading from Within: Leaders are invited to consider the importance of nurturing their mental health for the benefit of their entire team.

Julia maintains the stance that continuing education and good supervision are vital components in preventing practitioner burnout and client misguidance. This episode not only serves as an enlightening guide for leaders and coaches but also reinforces the undervalued aspect of self-care in leadership roles.

Here are some timestamps:

06:22 Importance of trauma awareness in coaching sessions.

09:15 Discussing importance of exploring past experiences in therapy.

14:28 Approach client with gentle curiosity, avoid assumptions.

16:58 Coaching school introduced new approach, challenges accountability.

20:58 Encouraging neurodivergence growth and understanding, coaching future.

25:00 Recognize and explore patterns, change and safety.

26:29 Different views on safety in medical practice.

30:58 Understanding system dynamics crucial for coaching executives.

35:07 Leadership development work remains essential for growth.

36:44 Self-awareness crucial for effective leadership and decision-making.

41:33 Retired from psychotherapy and online teaching, writing book.

43:46 "You are a role model, breaking ground."

To continue the conversation with Julia you can read her books, such as https://www.

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

It was my Big Birthday last week! Celebrating with family in Ireland, plus a swim in the sea and various other rituals was making me reflect so much on life, and the meaning in, and OF life, that I just had to share some of this with you all!

Passage of My Time: 
50 years ago it was 1974 (a great vintage though I may say so!)… and 50 years before that it was 1924. My grandparents were in their teens, and life was incredibly different. What will life be like in 50 years time?

Passage of Time in this Podcast: 
I wander through the library of podcast episodes that we’ve had since my last review in the autumn. From shattering norms to crafting personal vision and leadership through spirituality, we've certainly got stuck into topics that challenge old leadership paradigms. 

What’s Next?
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes on psychedelics in trauma recovery, aging, and even a chat with an 8-year-old author on anxiety. Join me as we explore the world of leadership, coaching psychology, and so much more. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Reflecting on time's continuity and personal significance.

03:53 Podcast born from reflective exercise, sharing wisdom.

10:16 Winter meditation, empathy, leadership, and psychedelics discussed.

13:24 Exciting future ahead in neuroscience of leadership

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeDifferent

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]

I’m delighted to introduce Keith Abraham, a human resiliency expert and the CEO of Heroic Hearts UK. This conversation is completely new territory for me as I’ve not ever explored therapeutic psychedelics! The conversation was incredible, Keith is the epitome of humility and courage, and I’m privileged to share the conversation with you.

 Mindful Misconceptions: Keith dismantles the westernized version of mindfulness, urging a return to its healing roots.

Psychedelic Pre-Requisites: Preparing for a psychedelic journey is no small feat. Keith outlines the essential steps and the profound duty of care involved.

Continuum of Healing: Navigating the mental health continuum, highlighting transformative encounters with therapeutic psychedelics.

Demanding Compassion: The balance between empathy and safeguarding, striking a delicate chord in leadership.

Evolution of Empathy: Has humanity really advanced in empathy and compassion? 

Forgiveness in Action: Together, we unpack the weight of forgiveness, not as absolution from consequences, but as a call to change and growth.

Strength in Softness: From the Chinese ethos of "iron wrapped in cotton wool" to combat stories, we explore the intersection of vulnerability and resilience.

Humankind's Challenge: Drawing from the book "Humankind," we discuss the training of compassion to build bridges over the divisions caused by tribalism and hate.

Trauma's Teachings: Reflecting on personal trauma, we share how perceived strength can be deceptive, and true strength is often found in flexibility.

Veteran Voices: We highlight the importance of creating safe spaces for veterans to share, heal, and connect with others.

Writing as Healing: Keith hints at a book he might be writing!

Transformation and Integration: The episode illuminates the critical need for integration post-psychedelic experiences, with Keith sharing a personal story.

Inner and Outer Health: We affirm the inseparable link between physical and mental wellness, championing a holistic approach to leadership resilience.

Tune in to embody the change, empower self-healing, and understand why mindful, trauma-informed wisdom is core to effective leadership.

Be prepared to know different and be different.

07:43 Struggles with therapy, healing, and perception.

16:19 Discussing mental health continuum

21:58 Urgency in legalizing plant medicines

24:27 Pioneering organization navigating delicate psychedelic renaissance phase.

38:01 Integration important for big psychedelic experiences.

39:53 Urgent need for personal growth and healing.

50:40 Tai Chi: a martial art for flexibility.

57:36 Veterans-only organization to avoid hierarchy in trauma sharing.

01:08:45 Respect and integrate empathy into compassionate actions

#TraumaInformedLeadership #RefreshingLeadership #RefreshingLeadershipPodcast #CoachingPsychology #KnowDifferentBeD

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: [email protected]