Failure is never fun in the moment, but what if it could be the thing that makes you stronger? 

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Mols to talk honestly about the brutal lessons of failure, the pain of losing it all, and the resilience that comes from getting back up. We explore how focus, vulnerability, and simple daily habits can transform setbacks into fuel for growth.

Peter shares the raw story of building a business too young, too fast, and how it led him into depression before he found his way back. 

We talk about why resilience matters more than perfection, why failure isn’t the end unless you quit, and how leadership really starts with leading yourself. 

This is an inspiring, no-fluff conversation that will leave you thinking differently about what it means to fall and rise again.

Here are the highlights

From big dreams to rock-bottom reality (05:47)

The painful lessons of a first failed business (06:22)

Why focus beats chasing shiny ideas (14:05)

The truth about pain, resilience, and entrepreneurship (16:21)

How daily habits build armour for tough times (22:36)

Reframing failure and rewriting the story (33:33)

Recovery can be simple, but not always easy (38:06)

Pete’s brave next step (42:28)

Connect with Peter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermols/

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this reflective episode, I sit down with Ben to explore the role of feelings in leadership and work. We talk about how emotions don’t switch off when you walk through the office door, how they influence our relationships, and why dismissing them can lead to burnout. 

I share my own experiences of trying to suppress emotions early in my career, and how learning to see feelings as data has completely shifted the way I work and lead.

Together we explore the impact of personal transitions, how unspoken emotions can shape organisational culture, and why giving space for reflection matters so much. 

From small shifts, like noticing the energy in a room, to bigger lessons around burnout and resilience, this conversation is a reminder that feelings aren’t a weakness, they’re a source of insight and connection.

Here are the highlights:

Starting with how we’re really feeling (03:17)

When personal transitions spill into work life (04:59)

The old advice that led me to suppress emotions (10:00)

Why bottling up feelings can fuel burnout (15:00)

Seeing feelings as data, not distractions (21:36)

Small interventions that shift the energy in a room (30:30)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Feedback can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. 

In this episode, I share how leaders can create feedback conversations that feel supportive, specific, and truly helpful. Instead of focusing on what you can’t control, I walk through what you can - from preparation and intention to the environment you set.

I also introduce the SBI model as a simple framework to give feedback that’s clear, thoughtful, and actionable. 

By treating feedback as a conversation rather than a monologue, you’ll build trust, encourage growth, and set the tone for a stronger team culture.

Here are the highlights:

Why leaders often over-focus on what they can’t control (01:22)

The mindset shift that changes everything about feedback (03:46)

How the SBI model makes feedback clear and actionable (07:55)

Turning feedback into a conversation, not a lecture (10:40)

Creating safety and trust to support team growth (13:10)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Feedback can be one of the hardest parts of leadership, but it’s also one of the most powerful ways we grow. 

In this episode, I share why great leaders don’t just give feedback, they model how to receive it first. 

I walk through what it takes to create a safe space for others to be honest with you, how to listen without getting defensive, and why gratitude and reflection are essential if you want people to keep sharing valuable insights. 

If you want to strengthen your leadership and build trust with your team, this episode will give you practical steps to start today.

Here are the highlights:

Why feedback feels uncomfortable (01:48)

Checking if you’re ready to receive it (03:10)

The power of active listening (05:25)

Showing gratitude before reacting (08:44)

Asking open-ended, non-defensive questions (10:37)

Separating the message from the messenger (13:15)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

This week, I sat down with the brilliant Dr. Erica Bowen, and wow, did we cover some ground. 

We talked about trauma, why it’s not just a “soft” topic, and how it shapes the way we show up as leaders and colleagues. 

Erica shared powerful insights on creating workplaces that feel safe, the emotional toll carried by HR and people leaders, and why doing the inner work is non-negotiable if you want to lead well. 

It’s honest, practical, and full of those “oh, that makes sense now” moments. If you care about leading with courage and humanity, this one’s for you.

Here are the highlights:

Understanding trauma: More than just being “nice” (07:38)

Trauma-informed leadership: Start with yourself (11:18)

Change and safety: Why resistance isn’t always about stubbornness (22:56)

The hidden load of HR: Carrying everyone else’s emotions (29:57)

The learning obsession: Using it to help others change (40:11)

Erica’s brave next step: Trusting herself through change (46:06)

Connect with Erica:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-erica-bowen

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Power. It’s a word that stirs up all kinds of thoughts, and in this episode, I share my reflections on what it really means in leadership and in life. 

From my grandmother’s fearless influence to lessons from Jacinda Ardern, I explore the four types of power - personal, instrumental, projected, and official - and how they show up in the roles I play as a coach, facilitator, and parent. 

I talk about the delicate balance between power and authority, what happens when we underuse or overuse our influence, and why becoming comfortable with our own power is essential for leading bravely.

Here are the highlights:

The four types of power and why they matter (2:37)

Lessons on influence from my grandmother (4:10)

Balancing power and authority in leadership (10:25)

Managing projected power in coaching and consulting (12:40)

Reflections on women, power, and societal perceptions (17:00)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

Overthinking can feel like leaving your thoughts in the oven until they’re burnt to a crisp or stuck in a washing machine that never stops spinning. 

In this episode, I share two memorable metaphors to help you spot when your mind’s running in circles, plus a simple process to break the cycle. 

Using my THINK acronym, I show how to test your thoughts, create space, and turn mental energy into productive action. 

If you’ve ever wished you could stop overanalysing and start moving forward, this one’s for you.

Here are the highlights:

The Thought Oven Metaphor (1:12)

The Thought Washing Machine Metaphor (2:11)

The Process of Managing Overthinking (3:41)

Applying the THINK Acronym (4:21)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m diving into how our own thinking can trip us up - especially when it comes to leadership. 

If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking a situation or stuck in a loop of unhelpful thoughts, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, and I know just how much those patterns can hold us back.

I break down four common “thinking traps” that I see a lot in leadership coaching: black-and-white thinking, labelling ourselves with negative words, and what I call “smog” words.These patterns aren’t just frustrating - they can seriously get in the way of how we lead, connect, and make decisions.

We can’t necessarily stop these thoughts from popping up, but we can learn how to manage them.

So take a listen to learn how to spot these patterns in your own thinking.

Here are the highlights:

Personal Experience with Overthinking (0:47)

Common Thinking Patterns in Leadership (2:36)

Labelling and Should Statements (6:04)

Managing Thinking Traps and Patterns (8:29)

Techniques to Disrupt Thinking Patterns (10:28)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m exploring what effective listening really means - and why it’s so much more than just hearing someone’s words. 

I walk through the three key types of awareness in listening: focusing on ourselves (which we all default to), tuning into the other person, and sensing the environment around us.

I share some of my own struggles and learnings from coach training, where I realised just how often I was still focused on my own thoughts, rather than fully listening to the other person. 

The shift didn’t happen overnight - it took conscious effort to turn off my internal commentary and get curious about what others were really saying (and not saying).

So, what kind of listening are you practicing most right now? This episode is your nudge to check in and maybe even stretch into new listening territory.

Here are the highlights:

Focusing on the Other Person (1:31)

Benefits of Conscious Listening (4:25)

Tuning into the Environment (5:54)

Practical Exercises for Effective Listening (10:53)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

In this episode, I’m reflecting on the power of triads - why three doesn’t have to be a crowd, but a source of energy, creativity, and balance. 

A trip with two close friends reminded me how transformative a group of three can be, and I’ve seen this play out in my business since hiring Ben. Together, with Mind Values Leadership as our “third pillar,” we’ve built something bigger than either of us alone.

Triads can be tricky, though. Without awareness and communication, power imbalances and conflict can creep in - I’ve seen it happen in teams and matrix organisations. But when managed intentionally, the dynamic creates space for new perspectives and deeper collaboration.

If you’re working within a triad, ask yourself: are you nurturing that connection or letting assumptions get in the way? For me, three isn’t a crowd - it’s where the magic often begins.

Here are the highlights:

Personal Reflection on the Proverb (1:50)

Triadic Relationships in Leadership (4:17)

Historical and Developmental Context of Triadic Relationships (7:12)

Benefits and Challenges of Triadic Relationships (10:51)

Practical Tips for Managing Triadic Relationships (14:43)

Connect with Emma:

LinkedIn

Website

This Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio