"We're seeing the equipment, we're seeing the protective—we're not seeing the personal." – Katherine Evans, Founder of Bold as Brass

Jo Phillips is joined by Katherine Evans, founder of Bold as Brass, to talk about why personal protective equipment (PPE) is still failing women—and what we can do to fix it.

From ill-fitting safety gear to the invisible barriers women face in male-dominated industries, Katherine shares her powerful story of challenging the status quo in heavy industry and designing PPE that actually fits women's bodies, identities, and needs.

They explore how something as ‘practical’ as workwear can either protect or dehumanise—and why seeing the person behind the PPE is the first step to systemic change.

(02:10) – Katherine’s mission behind Bold as Brass

(03:40) – The problem with “unisex” PPE: when protection becomes exclusion

(07:20) – Why representation matters

(10:00) – PPE and the body: why gear designed for male frames puts others at risk

(14:25) – What does truly personal protective equipment look like?

(19:10) – Catherine on bringing her whole self to an industry that wasn’t built for her

(24:00) – The language of change: why words like “grit” and “resilience” just don’t cut it

(29:30) – Advice for women in male-dominated sectors

Katherine Evans is the founder of Bold as Brass, a Linkedin group designed to provide inclusive, dignified, and genuinely protective PPE for women and underrepresented groups in heavy industry.

Having worked in sectors where safety and identity are often compromised by one-size-fits-men gear, Katherine launched Bold as Brass to redefine what safety looks and feels like. She’s a passionate advocate for visibility, safety, and systemic change in workplaces where women have too often been treated as an afterthought.

Follow Katherine on LinkedIn

Join Bold as Brass

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

“Speak up for yourself and say it with your chest.” – Helen Bandcroft, Sales Leader & Investor

“It's about not being smaller so others can be taller.” – Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women

This week in The Chat Womb, Jo Phillips sits down with Helen Bandcroft, sales leader, part-time investor, and unapologetic champion of financial empowerment. Jo and Helen unpack one of the most overlooked inequalities facing women today: the gender pension gap.

Helen shares her journey from hairdressing to sales leadership, revealing how she strategically built her wealth through shares, investing, and financial self-education, despite the systems not being designed for women to win.

They talk about salary negotiations, workplace power dynamics, financial freedom, and how to start building wealth (especially if you feel behind).

(02:10) – Introducing Helen Bandcroft: Sales leader, investor & financial empowerment advocate

(04:00) – The shocking stats behind the gender pension gap

(05:00) – From hairdressing to head office: Helen’s career journey

(07:30) – The power of shares, and how they helped Helen buy her first flat

(10:15) – Why asking for shares may be smarter than asking for a raise

(13:00) – Where to start if you’ve never invested: tools, tips & resources

(15:00) – Investing secretly: your money = your options

(20:00) – Walking away from a job on principle and what happened next

(28:00) – What Helen would tell her 21-year-old self (and her 13-year-old goddaughter)

(32:00) – Assertive vs. Aggressive: Standing your ground and speaking with purpose

Helen Bandcroft is a sales leader, public speaker, and part-time investor with a fierce passion for helping women understand their worth, in life and in their finances.

From leaving school early and working in hairdressing to buying her own flat with her share payout, Helen has built a career and financial portfolio on her own terms. She’s a firm believer in speaking up, investing wisely, and carving out power in rooms that weren’t designed for women.

Follow Helen on LinkedIn

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

“We start to become a problem in this world when we start to exceed other people's expectations of us.” – Gill Whitty-Collins, Author & Gender Equality Expert

I’ve really started to struggle with the term unconscious bias… is saying that there’s an unconscious bias, a loophole?” – Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women

In this episode of The Chat Womb, Jo Phillips is joined by Gill Whitty-Collins, senior business leader, gender equality expert, and author of Why Men Win at Work, to break down the hidden forces that keep men in power and women fighting for space.

Gill reveals why gender inequality isn’t about competence, but about perception, and how deeply ingrained paternalistic mindsets create barriers for women in leadership. She and Jo explore the unconscious biases that shape decision-making, the “daughter phenomenon” in male allyship, and why men need to shift from protectors to partners in the fight for equality.

If you’ve ever wondered why men are still winning at work—and what we can do about it—this episode is a must-listen.

(02:10) – Introducing Gill Whitty-Collins: Author of Why Men Win at Work

(05:00) – Why do men really win at work? Gill breaks it down

(07:15) – Invisible forces at play: The unconscious barriers women face

(12:30) – Does unconscious bias still hold up? The real reason it hasn’t worked

(20:10) – When women enter the “dominant culture” and the game changes

(25:00) – The "daughter phenomenon”—why men support women until they become equals

(30:45) – Moving from paternalism to true male allyship

(35:20) – Gill’s message to men in leadership: “You are not their dad. You are their colleague.”

Gill Whitty-Collins is an author, consultant, and gender equality advocate with over 20 years of experience as a senior leader in the corporate world. After a successful career at Procter & Gamble, where she led global brands like Olay, Always, and Pantene, Gill turned her attention to tackling the structural and cultural barriers holding women back in business.

Her book, Why Men Win at Work, has been described as a must-read for anyone serious about gender equality. Through her keynote talks, executive coaching, and workshops, Gill helps organisations identify the invisible forces that keep women from leadership and take real action to drive change.

🔗 Follow Gill on LinkedIn / Instagram @gillwhittycollins

📖 Buy Why Men Win at Work

🌍 Visit Gill’s Website https://gillwhittycollins.com/ 

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

“Be nice, be kind, share, smile, try to be as pretty as possible and don’t possibly age... This is how we’ve been trained.” – Michelle Minnikin, Psychologist & Author

"When did ‘nice’ ever get us a pay rise?" – Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women

In this episode of The Chat Womb, Jo Phillips is joined by Michelle Minnikin, psychologist, coach, and author of Good Girl Deprogramming, to dismantle the covert rules and expectations that keep women small.

From childhood, women are conditioned to be agreeable, seek approval, and play by the rules, but where does that leave us? Michelle breaks down how society’s invisible coercive control keeps women in line, why so many women feel stuck in their careers, and—most importantly—how to break free from the ‘Good Girl’ mould and reclaim your power.

If you’ve ever felt pressured to play nice, stay quiet, or make yourself smaller, this episode is for you.

(02:10) – Introducing Michelle Minnikin: Psychologist, coach & author of Good Girl Deprogramming

(05:00) – The cult of ‘Good Girl Conditioning’—how women are programmed to comply

(07:15) – What society really teaches women: Approval = Worth

(12:30) – The workplace was built for men—how women lose confidence when they enter it (20:10) – The self-worth crisis: Why women lose belief in their own success

(25:00) – How to find your tribe and build a support system that lifts you up

(30:45) – The #1 thing every woman needs to unlearn: Being ‘nice’

(35:20) – Michelle’s advice to her younger self: Be less nice. You don’t need to be liked to succeed.

Michelle Minnikin is a psychologist, coach, and author of Good Girl Deprogramming. With a background in organisational psychology, Michelle helps women unlearn the societal expectations that hold them back and rebuild their confidence, boundaries, and self-worth.

Her work shines a light on how women are conditioned to comply from childhood, why so many feel stuck in their careers, and how to break free from the ‘Good Girl’ narrative to claim the success and freedom they deserve.

🔗 Follow Michelle on Instagram: @michelleminnikin / Visit her website: https://www.michelleminnikin.com/ 

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

“We are so aware from such a young age that it might happen and that it could happen… As women, we’re just so normalised into hyper-vigilance constantly.” - Caitlin O’Ryan, Actor, Podcaster & Poet

"This has got nothing to do with saying that every male causes danger. But it’s about, from a societal perspective, understanding … [that] these are just some of the considerations we navigate every single day before we go about our lives." - Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women

Taking a seat in The Chat Womb with Jo Phillips today is Caitlin O’Ryan - actor, poet, and podcaster - to discuss the hidden costs of simply existing as a woman.

Caitlin shares the story behind her viral spoken-word poem At What Point, which reached millions online, shedding light on the constant state of hyper-vigilance women live with daily. From assessing risks when walking alone at night to altering schedules, paying for safety, and feeling the weight of social expectations, they explore the gendered realities that shape female experiences.

(02:10) – Introducing Caitlin O’Ryan: Actor, poet, and the woman behind At What Point

(05:00) – The viral poem that struck a chord with millions

(07:15) – The unseen cost of being a woman: Hyper-vigilance as second nature

(12:30) – The paradox of women’s safety: Taxi vs. Walking Home Alone

(15:45) – The fine line between politeness and self-preservation

(20:10) – How women are conditioned to shrink themselves for others' comfort

(25:00) – Caitlin on imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the power of authenticity

(30:45) – Finding freedom in creativity and reclaiming childhood curiosity

(35:20) – Caitlin’s advice to her younger self: Stay weird, stay loud, stay you.

Caitlin O’Ryan is an actor, poet, and podcaster. Best known for her role as Lizzie Wemyss in Outlander, Caitlin has captivated audiences with her heartfelt performances. However, it was her viral poem At What Point that propelled her into the public eye in a new and powerful way.

Originally performed as a spoken word piece, At What Point struck a chord with audiences worldwide, addressing themes of womanhood, societal expectations, and the female experience with raw honesty and emotion. The video of Caitlin performing the poem at London poetry night Spitnights spread rapidly across social media, drawing praise from thousands and garnering widespread coverage from major media outlets, including The Independent, The Guardian, BBC News, Glamour, and Stylist.

Beyond poetry and acting, Caitlin has a flare for storytelling in all its forms, making her mark in the world of podcasts with ‘Have you got your sh*t together?’. 

Connect with Caitlin:

🔗 Follow Caitlin on Instagram: @caitlinoryan

🔗 Watch At What Point, written and performed by Caitlin O’Ryan at Spitnights

🎧 Check out Caitlin’s brilliant ‘Have you got your sh*it together’ podcast: IG @hygystpod / Listen here

About your host: Jo Phillips

Jo coaches ambitious women like you to break through career barriers, own their worth, and finally get the career and salary they deserve. Through 1:1 coaching, Jo helps you identify what’s holding you back, to build an unapologetic strategy for success, cheerleading you every step of the way—because you already have what it takes. It’s time to stop waiting and start moving with audacity…

Connect with Jo:

Website: The Woman Behind The Women

Socials: Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

"Every time ​we ​choose ​compassion ​the ​world ​gets ​a ​bit ​better.” - Lee Chambers, Male Allies UK

"It really hit home for me—if this is what we’re allowing to be revisited, what message are we sending to young boys?" - Jo Phillips, The Woman Behind The Women

In this very first episode of The Chat Womb, Jo Phillips sits down with Lee Chambers, founder of Male Allies UK, for an insightful discussion on male allyship, masculinity, and the challenges men and young boys face today.

They unpack how societal expectations shape masculinity—spoiler alert: it’s more than just action figures and football—and why education is crucial in fostering healthy relationships, consent awareness, and gender equality. Lee shares powerful anecdotes from his work with boys in schools, shedding light on the double-edged nature of online communities in shaping young minds.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about gender equality and the role men play in creating a more inclusive society. Get ready to challenge your perceptions and rethink what it truly means to be a man.

(00:00) – Welcome to The Chat Womb: Tackling the barriers that hold women back

(01:11) – Introducing Lee Chambers from Male Allies UK

(01:45) – Lee’s work with boys in schools: Shaping them into better men

(06:45) – A shocking school performance: Unpacking sexism and misogyny in education

(13:04) – The consent conversation: Why some young boys believe "yes" means forever (19:11) – University and its impact: Personal reflections from Lee

(21:03) – One question Lee wishes people would ask him about University Challenge

(22:42) – The benefits of compassion for men from an inclusion perspective

(24:51) – Lee’s advice to his 21-year-old self

Lee Chambers is an award-winning psychologist, speaker, and the founder of Male Allies UK, an organisation dedicated to challenging outdated gender norms and fostering male allyship in workplaces and schools. With a background in psychology and leadership, Lee works closely with young boys, helping them navigate modern masculinity and build healthier relationships.

🔗 Connect with Lee Chambers

🔗 Male Allies UK Website

Join the conversation! Connect with your host, Jo Phillips:

The Woman Behind The Women website

Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

'The Chat Womb' is hosted by Jo Phillips and proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com 

From Self-Doubt to Audacity: Transform Your Career and Become the Woman You Were Always Meant to Be

Welcome to The Chat Womb: the space for becoming who we were always supposed to be.

This is the brand new podcast for female professionals who are hungry for more in their careers. If you're tired of playing small, waiting for permission, or questioning your worth, you’re in the right place.

In this trailer episode, host Jo Phillips, founder of The Woman Behind The Women, introduces the raw, no-BS conversations that will define The Chat Womb. This is where we strip away the noise and reclaim the power that has always been ours.

• Why are you still waiting for that pay rise?
• Why does that promotion keep slipping through your fingers?
• Why have you been conditioned to stay small while others stand tall?

This podcast is about:

• Taking a no-nonsense look at the challenges women face in the workplace.
• Recognising allyship as a critical tool for change.
• Sharing real, lived experiences that women everywhere can relate to—because when we tell the truth, we shift the needle toward real change.

This isn’t fluffy nonsense. This isn’t performative empowerment. This is real talk for women ready to take back their power.

So hit subscribe, step into The Chat Womb, and start becoming the woman you were always meant to be.

Join the conversation and connect with Jo:

👉 The Woman Behind The Women

👉 Linkedin / Instagram: @thewomanbehindthewomen 

The Chat Womb is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com