Smash The Box

Pam Lidford is not just a Confidence Coach. She is THE Confidence Coach. Aged 7, Pam wanted to save the world. She didn’t. She did what most of us do and got a job. Never feeling fully satisfied, she moved into Adult Education and started to feel like she was making a difference to people’s lives. However, endless restructures, moving goal posts and ever more bureaucracy, again left Pam feeling unfulfilled. That’s when Pam discovered the power of coaching and she’s never looked back. A full-time coach and trainer in her own right - for both personal and corporate - and a cornerstone trainer for The Coaching Academy, arguably the UK’s leading coaching school. Pam knows her stuff. As a client, I can vouch for this! We cover Coaching, Mentoring, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), Tapping (EFT) and other modalities - all of which Pam has in her locker. Pam is a master at eliciting people’s real values (not their aspirational ones!) and at helping people overcome limiting and negative beliefs that might have been holding them back. “We get in life what we deserve we believe, not what we want” she says profoundly. "Coaching is for people who are ready OR are interested in finding out if they’re ready to become the person they need to be to achieve what it is they want”. “75% of people are motivated by what they don’t want,” she adds. Pam opens up on some the personal benefits coaching has brought to her own family, aside from any professional goals. Whether you are interested in coaching, in becoming a coach or are open to learning more about it, this podcast is a true masterclass.

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

After only just surviving an horrific car fire in 1970, at the tender age of 18, James Partridge describes his journey through life and the affects of growing up with facial disfigurement. Now a two time author and social entrepreneur, James puts an enormous amount of time and energy into helping others, who have also suffered similar disfigurements. “It took me 5 years to adjust to a new reality. (The accident) completely changed my life. I was a Guernsey dairy farmer when the first book came out. Social entrepreneurship didn’t really exist back then" James describes his latest book; Face It, as ‘part memoir, part self help manual, part manifesto for change’. James cause is not helped by how Hollywood often portrays people with facial imperfections as unfriendly villains (think James Bond), as well as some of the myths surrounding plastic surgery. In this incredibly honest and vulnerable podcast, we cover the stigma and prejudices of growing up with facial imperfections, and also James’s own self-imposed prejudices and limiting beliefs about what was attainable from life. James set up the charity, Changing Faces in the early nineties, to help others deal with the psycho-social challenges of navigating life with a facial imperfection. “Face-ism,” as James calls it is also dealt with in the 2nd part of James’s latest book. “People need help to deal with themselves, and to deal with the rest of the world.” This podcast is a profound invitation to learn, to liberate oneself of and adopt facial equality.

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

“In my family, if one person does something, we all do it” says Paolo Ben Salmi. Paolo is on a mission to get kids off their iPads and into the world. Already a published author, podcaster and youngest ambassador for the not-for-profit Water To Go, this would be impressive for most people, yet Paolo has achieved all of this aged only 11 years old. Together with his 4 siblings, Paolo has benefited from home schooling and active encouragement from Mum, Sabrina. With positivity, personal development and creativity abound, Paolo comes from talented stock. Paolo sees his life as two journeys; the self discovery journey and the external journey. The self-discovery should be practised daily, according to Paolo. A natural born speaker, Paolo refers to his self-discovery as an adventure. “It should be fun,” says Paolo. Using stories and analogies that bely his 11 years, it is hard not be captivated by Paolo’s enthusiasm and positivity. He has even created his own personal development course aimed at kids and young teens. In amongst all of these mature pursuits, Paolo still finds time for play and is an ardent Arsenal supporter. "I want to be the director of my own movie” says Paolo confidently and even has some questions of his own for the interviewer! Tune in for more in this pint sized podcast!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

As success as professional footballer, notably for Brighton & Celtic, Adam Virgo has won his fair share of battles on the pitch. These days, Adam is a familiar face and voice on BT Sport where he commentates on National and European leagues. He also writes for a number of football publications. It is off the pitch however, where Adam has had to fight probably his toughest battle. That is working with dyslexia. After challenges at school, a professional football career meant that dyslexia was not much of an issue but now with a career in the media and public speaking engagements and interviews, it has reared its head again and Adam outlines some of the obstacles he has had to overcome in order to get where he is today. “I practice talking to myself every day and especially before a (commentary) game." At the time of recording, this podcast interview is only the 2nd time that Adam has talked about his dyslexia in public and by doing so draws awareness to this much overlooked and underestimated disorder. "Even my employer has no idea of the challenges I have before each game”. Adam reflects on his time at schoolchildren are more protected these days but back then I was bullied and ridiculed a lot. I wanted to learn and paid attention in class but my dyslexia prevented me from translating my learning to the exam. I was always at the bottom. Yet at sport, I was an A star pupil". At such a young age, Adam couldn’t understand why kids who weren’t good at sport were not ridiculed yet if you struggled academically, you were.” These days Adam goes the extra mile when researching and making notes for his commentary on games. “Because I want to and because I have to,” says Adam. “Football is a spontaneous game. I always have to be prepared for the unexpected”. The last thing Adam wants is sympathy and worries that the school model has not advanced much over the last century in terms of how information is delivered and that the experience if you’re dyslexic is much the same today as it’s always been. Adam is as compelling to listen to as he was to watch as player and I have now forgiven him for scoring all those goals against my own team back in the day! Adam talks proudly about the Academy he has created for aspiring young footballers in Brighton. “Hard work will always pay off in the end, “ he imparts. Get more by tuning in to this passionate and worthy podcast!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

“After bonding over Maslow, Amy & Sam quickly discovered they had a lot in common. They pooled their experiences - both personal and professional - to create their own People Consultancy, called Maslow’s (what else..!). Their aim is to shape culture, help people and teams to fulfil their potential both professionally and personally. “Happier people, better business success” summises Amy. “It extends to hiring, management and flexible working models…” adds Sam. In a world where we have become hyper-connected and the lines between work life increasingly blurred, stress levels have reached an all time high. This observation acted as a further catalyst for Amy & Sam to create the business and turn their ideas into action. We cover the effects of Covid-19, purpose, employer branding, self-actualistion, diversity, inclusion and why sometimes an employee leaving your business is the right thing - for them and for you. As concern for wellbeing and mental health in the workplace become more normalised, Amy & Sam emphasize the need for companies to take a more holistic approach to the welfare of their employees, if they are to have a chance of surviving and thriving in the long term and also de-bunks some of the myths around managing millenials. “If you are aware of diversity in general across people, rather than simply their ages, you are going to foster a culture where everybody feels included.” Listen out for Amy’s ‘airbag story’ and why self-actualistion is as relevant for business teams as it is for individuals. For this and more, tune into this self-actualising podcast!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Delilah Sullivan has a gift. It is a gift that allows her to channel energy from both spirit and land. And the earth is absolutely calling her right now. "It’s about having a two way conversation with the energy, a deeper way of listening and communicating, it’s powerful. Delilah reveals how her past work was human led, whereas now it’s the bigger picture in nature. "It was sparked by the trees. The trees are in crisis. We risk reaching a tipping point where we lose all the trees because they’re all interconnected. So the fires on the other side of the planet will affect the trees in our back garden. They’re all one and they’re all linked.” Delilah believes it’s possible to reverse this by helping trees to grow and heal and appreciating them more. "Rather than planting 100,000 trees, it’s about getting 100,000 people to appreciate and wish to plant just one tree” she offers. Delilah emphasises that it's the energy behind something that is most important. It’s the intention which carries everything; "It’s how we approach the world and ourselves and how we communicate and our intention behind it” Delilah talks about creating a heart centred life and doing whatever you have to do to keep your heart open, as a way to shape your life; "Any answer that comes from the head is not the truth. It’s useful and needs to be incorporated, not dismissed but my work is encouraging us to become more heart-centered, more grounded. That’s a very different experience of the same reality” Delilah encourages and invites us to create our actions from within, to be in the body rather than the head, to feel and go with our instincts. I invite you to get connected and aware by tuning in to this powerful podcast.

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

“What I do for a living is inspire people to be amazing everyday,” says Aquila CEO, Tim Dingle. Tim finds these current times (of lockdown) very interesting and invites us reframe it and understand that despite one might feel that we’re in crazy times or thinking things are difficult, there is a capacity within us, a resilience, to change the way we look at the world and ourselves to become more positive and become a better version of ourselves. A former Headmaster, with a background in education and leadership, Tim has held senior roles within England Schools Rugby, the RFU and MCC. These days, Tim is a Coach, Trainer & Speaker as well as being CEO of The London Ghost Bus Tours. "I can only do very few things and those things mainly revolve around the capacity to put a lot of thought into stuff and then transmit it verbally. It’s the feedback that you get from people in reality that’s vital”. Tim tells us that our future is unwritten, to not be bound by past mistakes. The key, he says is asking better questions of ourselves. Tim had his own moment of enlightenment whilst on the beach - "All the stuff that had happened to me… the good & the bad… the experiences and knowledge… were irrelevant. I needed to try to put it into a still, heat it up and distill it into one drop of wisdom. Tim reveals the one common denominator that links all of the people that inspire him the most; “The number one with all of them is passion. It’s an attitude… we can learn to be productive and be happy or we can give up. Passion always wins." Tap into Tim’s own passion and amazingness by listening to this podcast!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Rachel Allan dances every morning for women on Instagram. One of Rachel's many super powers is that she is not easily labelled. Part creator, part connector, part coach and now podcaster, Rachel is above all else wonderfully human. In this wide ranging and open podcast, we cover women, spirituality, vulnerability and purpose. Rachel has recently launched the 40 For Tea Podcast where she shares other people’s stories and experiences of what it’s like to be human. “There are 7 billion unique perspectives in the world. What if we can hold multiple perspectives by listening to other peoples. Get curious. Talk to strangers,” encourages Rachel. Rachel’s ability to search deep inside herself and share vulnerabilities make her insights and wisdom really authentic and well worth listening to. There are no angles or sides. She speaks simple truths that allow for a deep sharing of knowledge and experience as she encourages us all to own our own experience of life as well as our emotional response to it. She reveals how the dancing is her meditation. How it came from a low place and became something joyful; “ Dancing is connecting to my own truth. It’s a moment in time that I’m not thinking about the external world.” Many of us catch ourselves in victim mode, saying things like “I have to do this”. “No you don’t”, says Rachel. Choosing our mindset. Choosing to enjoy an experience rather than be a victim of circumstance are central to her message. “ When do we ever get the chance to really question who we are in the world?” , she muses. This podcast is a great place to start!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Jill Katz is the Founder of Assemble HR. She is an HR Influencer, Transformation Expert and all round courageous human. From her New York home, she speaks with wonderful candour and cares passionately about helping people to find the place and the jobs where they feel best about themselves. Jill reveals her personal journey, trying to balance work life with home life; .”I represent millions of people…but specifically women and mums who wake up everyday and struggle with the challenges, the conflict and guilt. I want to work, I want to have a career and have something for myself…but I want to be an amazing mother.” Jill has decided, it’s no longer a balance for her, it’s a work-life blend.”I try hard now to be present wherever I am. It’s not about making money. It’s about being great wherever you are.” We talk about the universal challenge of sharing feedback with others, not just in business, but in all areas of life. “My key to success in business has been sharing with people in a truly honest, compassionate, caring and brave way” Jill laments the fact that in our world of work, we’ve come to believe that feedback has to come with a cello, a curtain, a big audience, a form, a lawyer. “No! The right thing to do is to give very specific feedback It’s more simplistic and less of big deal”. We take in the effects of Covid-19 in America as well as the UK, and I particularly love Jill’s take on having People Director’s on company boards; “Any company that wants to be successful has to have a people strategist on their board. The only companies that shouldn’t are the ones without people”. Tune in for more gems like this!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Patti Dobrowolski helps you draw your future. As a self-styled creative activator, visual thinker and live illustrator, she coaches businesses and individuals through change. Patti founded the brilliantly named Up Your Creative Genius 11 years ago. Shortly after, her first TED Talk (she’s done 5) went viral and it’s been a busy time since. Much in demand, Patti has spoken all over the world and worked with some of the world’s biggest companies. A ball of energy and charisma, not even Covid-19 can stop Patti and she has adapted her workshops and classes to work online and continues to coach and deliver. “When you draw, it changes your body chemistry. When you think about the future, it sends serotonin into your body…dopamine…the elixir of life so, you feel more confident and excited. The more you can excite yourself about the future, the more you link yourself to that future self.” Through drawing, Patti encourages us to take three bold steps; “the first step should scare you, the second step should be somewhat technical, the third bold step is a mindset shift. Creative genius is not a person. It’s a way of being and it’s accessible to everybody.” Patti also encourages us to take action with our picture and put it somewhere where we can see it everyday so, it imprints on our brain. “People who draw their future create a 42% better chance of success for themselves”, says Patti. Increase yours by listening to this inspiring podcast!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/