Speaking for ourselves

By Professor Laura Serrant CBE

Speaking for ourselves is the first of my podcasts. It introduces the importance of telling our stories, using our own voices and hearing the stories of others. Stories that shape our world and ultima... more

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FAQs about Speaking for ourselves:

How many episodes does Speaking for ourselves have?

The podcast currently has 29 episodes available.

Speaking for ourselves episodes:

January 14, 2026 Speaking for ourselves Vol 27: "Accidental me - Similar Problems, Different solutions!"....Speaking with Dr Nichola Ashby
In this podcast episode, I’m joined by Dr Nichola Ashby for an honest and thoughtful conversation about leadership journeys — especially the ones that don’t begin with a clear destination in mind.
Many leaders don’t set out knowing exactly where they’re heading. They learn, adapt, stumble, recalibrate — and grow into leadership through experience rather than intention.
This episode explores Nicky's pathway to leadership and why uncertainty is not a weakness, but often the very ground where confidence, values, and purpose take root.
If you’ve ever questioned your own path, or felt behind because your leadership story didn’t follow a straight line, this conversation is for you. — because leadership is often discovered, not declared #TheLionessEffect #SpeakingforOurselves #LeadershipMatters #ALionessSpeaks
You can contact Nicky via:
Leadership & Culture First Podcast - YouTube
www.axisculturegroup.co.uk
LinkedIn: Axis Culture Group
Email: [email protected]
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35min
November 20, 2025 Speaking for ourselves Vol 27: "Bolder and Braver Than I think!"....Speaking with Mutiat Adebowale
Sometimes we don't always end up where we predicted. Our journeys in life so far have been shaped by many things - some driven by ourselves, others as a result of evens we had no control over.
But in true lioness style - it is HOW we travel that can determine our achievements as well as our final destination.
Our Internal leadership - the stories we choose to tell ourselves are key to this. In this podcast I have the pleasure of speaking with Mutiat Adebowale
A quiet powerhouse of a woman who shared with me the twists and turns of her own leadership journey Hers is not the story of loud, noisy advancement but one of internal self appreciation and belief. Mutiat and I discuss the importance of learning the impact of your own presence and how that can move mountains.
#TheLionessEffect teaches us the power of the silence and calm of the lioness as much as her fierceness - Look out for this one.
You can contact Mutiat via:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mutiatadebowale1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutiat-adebowale
#QuietLeadership #SelfLeadership #MindfulImpact #ALionessSpeaks
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31min
October 30, 2025 Speaking for ourselves Vol 26: "Unapologetically Taking Up space"....Speaking with Jacynth Ivey MBE
I'm so excited about this one! Through #BlackHistoryMonth2025 I have been talking about leadership, within this year's theme of "standing strong in power and pride"Well my next podcast guest is the epitome of exactly that. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jacynth Ivey MBE - truly a woman who leads with integrity and delivers impact. if you have listened to our previous LinkedIn lives you will know what I mean! this one you won't want to miss!!!Contact Jacynth via:
email: [email protected]
linkedin: (8) Jacynth Ivey MBE | LinkedInwebsite: Jacynth Ivey - Inspiring Hope

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38min
October 02, 2025Speaking for ourselves Vol 25: "Honing in on my craft"....Speaking with Melanie Alveranga
In this episode I am speaking with the force of nature that is Melanie Alveranga.

Melanie is true testament to the strength of the lioness "Power doesn't always need to ROAR!" Together we explore a truth that often gets pushed aside in the busyness of life: the importance of making time for yourself. Like the lioness in the wild, there is power in pausing, conserving your energy, and focusing with intention. When you hone in on your own path, you step into your destiny and create space to live your best life—fully and unapologetically.

Melanie shares her insights with such honesty and clarity, and I can’t wait for you to hear it!🌟 BONUS - Early Notification 🌟 Melanie will also be leading a powerful one-day event: The Choosing Yourself Experience — a transformative opportunity to put these lessons into action.👉 You can find out more and sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eTcMv3fd

This is one not to miss—whether you’re ready to reset, realign, or step into your power like the lioness you are.

You can contact Melanie via

Linkedin: Melanie A. | LinkedInInstagram:
https://www.instagram.com/roomtoexhale?igsh=MXkxYW9kN2w3bTV5dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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38min
August 28, 2025 Speaking for Ourselves Vol 24....."Learning to Walk My Way"
🎙️ Standing in your power as a Lioness – In this episode, I speak with the inspiring Parveen Smith about courage, resilience, and staying true to yourself through life’s twists and turns. Like the lioness in the wild, leadership isn’t about avoiding challenges, but finding the bravery to face them and grow. Every act of courage, big or small, is a gift to yourself and others.
👉 Listen now for an honest, energising conversation that will leave you ready to step into your own lioness power!
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35min
June 17, 2024 Speaking for Ourselves Vol 23: "Being my own hero"... Speaking with
Today, let's celebrate bravery —the courage to step out of our comfort zones, to take on new challenges, and to stand up for what we believe in. it all sounds good - but then there is the difficult question we ask ourselves as leaders and business owners - AM I BRAVE??
This is something I discuss with my next fabulous podcast guest 🧠 Caroline Pankhurst ❤️‍🔥 - In our discussion and musings we shared our thoughts and experiences as women business owners, leaders and simply humans on bravery, courage and sometimes 'just keeping going!!'
As a well known and often cited phrase says - Being brave isn't about the absence of fear, but rather the triumph over it - and Caroline is certainly testament to that!
Through her work with women in all walks of life, she reminds us that every small act of bravery counts. Whether it's speaking up in a meeting, taking on a new project, or pursuing a dream that seems just out of reach, your courage inspires others and fuels your growth.
Listen to the podcast - you won't be disappointed!
You can connect with Caroline via
email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: CarolinePankhurst
Online: www.be-braver.com
substack: Quiet Courage
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42min
February 29, 2024 Speaking for Ourselves Vol 22: "Embracing the limitless value of me" .......Getting out of my OWN way!. Speaking with Audrey Pantelis
Life does not always work out the way we thought it would.
We often set out with a vague plan of what we would like to
do or achieve in our lives – the work we would like to do, how we live our lives or simply the way we wish to ‘BE’. Surprisingly. when things are not working for us - we are likely to limit what we say, remain silent and quietly continue on the path we are on.
Even the most successful parts of our lives may not have
been something we foresaw – or even thought we wanted – But life has a way of placing opportunities or options in front of us…. inviting, or even daring us to take a chance, speak up and step out. In this space we are sometimes our own biggest challenge we have to overcome to take up the opportunities that COULD
BE part of what is set for us. We are sometimes caught up, hesitant or talk ourselves out of moving forward into something new as we don’t know ‘HOW’ we will do it.
We get in our own way. Quieting our curiosity and limitless
possibilities.
This is what I discuss with my next podcast guest @Audrey
Pantelis she shares her thoughts on the importance of enabling others to speak,
finding her connections and making peace with stepping into the whole of what
life could be - learning most importantly to be at one with yourself and getting
out of your own way. .... I hope you enjoy the Podcast
You can contact Audrey Pantelis as follows:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.elevationcc.co.uk
LinkedIn: Audrey Pantelis | LinkedIn

Link to Audrey’s own podcast: Specially Speaking, on Spotify for
Podcasters!
https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fanchor.fm%2Faudrey-pantelis&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ce62629ba2b8845368ddf08dc2e402846%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638436100283154885%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vHlTlOCRX8hWsLBwno1wMClr5QsQKFVVl5Ox5rxg1Ac%3D&reserved=0
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52min
December 21, 2023 Speaking for Ourselves Vol 21: "Never taking the Answer I'm Given" .....Disrupting narratives of money, scarcity and lack - Speaking with Yinka Ewuola
Do you have enough?
What a strange question you may say - enough of what?
Time? Happiness? Space?....Money? - For most of us the biggest challenge in that question is actually deciding WHAT ENOUGH ACTUALLY IS - no matter what we focus on.
The answer is often bound up with what we THINK our life should be like.
The challenge is that much of what has influenced our thinking about our lives is not only down to us.
Our choices and decisions about our lives are often a result of a complex mixture of things - our upbringing, our personalities and the experiences that we have - each of these things shape our expectations of life, of others and of ourselves. Our outlook on life, what we want from it and whether we are content with 'our lot' on any day is made up of a mixture of all things, past present and how closely we feel things are working out the way we imagined.

BUT...how much of our expectations about life, having enough and what is important, actually serves us well? How do we make sense of what we have 'learned' and even more importantly decide if it is helpful in our journey to live the life we want?
With reference to the initial question of 'enough?' The fear of 'scarcity' or not realising your life plans is often the unspoken worry of many of us. This is something my next guest and I spent time discussing.
In this upcoming podcast I will be speaking with Yinka Ewuola - all round fabulous woman and successful business owner who speaks of the often unspoken subjects of cash and money. Yinka is a self-confessed Introvert - and yet confesses as a recovering 'good girl' to the importance of reconstructing our ideas of what it is OK to talk about or accept in your own version of life.
We discuss the range of experiences she has had, relearning some of the 'truths' we have been told as women, as responsible workers and even as human beings....and how she came to move from a corporate job to speaking out and spreading her message of accepting that to be ourselves, we need to stop being restricted by ideas of lack. The first vital stage in recognising our own limitless capacity for purpose and possibility.

@yinkaewuola
I hope you enjoy the Podcast!
#Speaking4Ourselves #Cashflow #womeninbusiness #Tame2Trailblazer
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46min
October 13, 2023 Speaking for Ourselves Vol 20: 'Weirdly wired ...'Choosing how I play the game' - Speaking with Carole Pyke
Which of your past experiences or has impacted you the MOST?
For most of us the biggest challenge in that question is actually deciding WHICH of our many memories to choose.
Our choices and reflections today are made up of a range of events and our emotions - how we feel about those events - in fact, usually by the time we reach adulthood, we possibly have forgotten more things than we remember. Our outlook and how we are feeling on any day is made up of a mixture of all things, past present and how we feel about the future.BUT...Imagine if you didn't have a reference of the past? What if you had NO memory of your past...or very little of it. How do you restart and reset yourself from a position of 'not knowing'?
How would you answer the question "Which of your past experiences or has impacted you the MOST?"
This is something my next guest and I spent time discussing.
In this podcast I am speaking with ⁠Carole Pyke MCIM⁠- Carole is a fabulous 'Sparkling' Human being - who describes herself as a 'Sophisticated 4- year old' . You see Carole has only 4 years of memory following a stroke - We discuss the range of experiences she has had, living with relearning yourself, getting to grips with the world and living with ⁠#unshakeableFaith⁠ ...and how she came to move from 'cheating death' to speaking out and spreading her message of being The Spark that ignites the flame of passion, purpose and possibility. Carole is a force of nature, vibrant, fun and very enthusiastic. I felt my own sparkle levels soar during our conversation.Listen out for the podcast. You won't be disappointed!!
You can contact Carole via
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolepyke
Website: www.carolepyke.com
email: [email protected]
Instagram: @carolepyke
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49min
June 08, 2023 Speaking for Ourselves Vol 19: Stepping Forward with Boldness...Just saying 'Yes' - Speaking with Lucy Barrett, Style Coach
What does your outfit say about you today?
I don't know about you, but since lockdown my wardrobe has changed. All those zoom meetings got me thinking about which 'tops' to wear and less about how my overall 'look' was - cue smart blouses and comfortable trousers! (ok leggings!!)
Our clothes are a reflection of ourselves, our outlook and how we are feeling that day - but have you ever stopped to think about HOW we learn or develop our way of presenting ourselves? During Lockdown many of us had to rethink this - we also had to adjust yet again afterwards. The world of online Zoom calls has changed the way we work for ever...and for some of us, the way we dress ( for exactly the same job).
There are many more transitions that we go through in life, work is just one of them - age, family responsibilities, divorce, illness, parenthood...all have the potential to challenge how we are seen, or see ourselves. These 'life changes' bring about internal and social challenges which impact us - not just in terms of the changes themselves, but HOW well we adapt to them - and this, in turn, is often reflected in how we dress.
This is something my next guest and I spent time discussing.
In this episode I am speaking with Lucy Barrett - Style Coach™
We discuss the range of experiences she has had, living overseas, career challenges and being an 'ex-pat' in her own home country!...and how she came to unite her interest in human beings and our travels' through life, change and transition......into a thriving business...all through the medium of what we wear. Lucy is vibrant, fun and very enthusiastic. I loved our time together - she really got me rethinking the old adage 'we are what we wear'
Listen to the podcast. You won't be disappointed!!
...Now, to relook at exactly WHAT I have at the back of my wardrobe.......
You can contact Lucy on
website: www.lucybarrettstylecoach.co.uk
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-barrett-style-coach/
Facebook: Lucy Barrett (style coach)
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51min

FAQs about Speaking for ourselves:

How many episodes does Speaking for ourselves have?

The podcast currently has 29 episodes available.