Today, we’re exploring a critical and often overlooked topic: mental health in the trades. The construction, manufacturing, and trades industries are known for their toughness and hard work - but behind that grit, many professionals face immense pressure, stress, and burnout.

Joining us all the way from Canada is someone who’s been working at the heart of this challenge, John Nieuwenburg, a professional business coach has helped countless owners of construction, trades, and manufacturing companies remove the stress and chaos from their businesses and, quite literally, get their lives back.

In this conversation, we’ll talk about breaking the stigma around mental health in the trades, what it takes to build more resilient teams, and how leaders can create workplaces where people - and profits - can thrive.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses mental health and suicide. 

🎧 Listen now to The Coaching Conversation

Duration: 21:59

Connect with John Nieuwenburg:

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/business-coach-canada

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
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What happens at home doesn’t stay at home - especially when it comes to separation and divorce - and the emotional aftershocks inevitably spill into the workplace. The numbers are startling:

• 79% of UK employees who’ve gone through divorce say it affected their ability to work.
• 39% saw their productivity drop.
• Nearly 1 in 10 left their job within a year.
• And if they didn’t feel supported by their employer? They were twice as likely to resign.

In this episode of The Coaching Conversation, Graham sits down with Kristyna, a coach and founder of MinusOne Club, who helps people navigate separation and divorce. If you think divorce is a “personal issue,” think again - this episode might just change how you lead. 

Kristyna is a coach and founder of MinusOne Club, who helps people navigate separation and divorce - an experience that doesn’t stay at home but shows up in the workplace. Divorce is one of the most stressful life events an employee can face, and the impact on business is significant:

🎧 Listen now to The Coaching Conversation

Duration: 24:20

Connect with Kristyna Hawkett:

• Website: minusone.club
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/minusone-club

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
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Darryl Cooke is the founder and visionary behind Gunnercooke LLP, a Disruptive Legal Innovator, author, and purpose-driven founder. Darryl’s story is anything but typical: from a successful corporate lawyer to building one of the UK’s most disruptive legal firms, now home to 400 partners, he’s on a mission to change the legal model and put people and purpose at the core of business. In this episode, Graham and Darryl discuss why traditional law firm models are broken and how a flexible, human-centred approach can transform both client service and employee happiness.

🎧  So, let’s jump right into this powerful conversation with Darryl Cooke on The Coaching Conversation.

Duration: 30:00

Connect with DARRYL COOKE:

• Website: gunnercooke.com/people/darryl-cooke/
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darryljcooke

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
• Facebook: @ExecutiveMindsetCoaching
• Twitter: @TheExecMind

In this episode of The Coaching Conversation, Graham is joined by Susanne Biro, a renowned leadership coach and trusted confidant to CEOs and top executives. For over 20 years, she’s helped leaders face their ‘Deep Fear’ - the quiet doubts that hold even the best back.

Through her Inner Life Leadership approach, Susanne shows how self-awareness can turn fear into clarity, courage, and authentic success.

In this episode, we’ll explore how your dreams or unconscious thoughts can become your greatest leadership tool - and why real change starts from the inside out.

Connect with Susanne Biro:

• website: susannebiro.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanne-biro

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
• Facebook: @ExecutiveMindsetCoaching
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Today, we’re diving into what it really takes to build a culture of excellence—not just in results, but in the way people show up, collaborate, and grow together.

Graham's guest is Kyle McDowell, a bestselling author, speaker, and leadership coach whose work focuses on transforming toxic environments into thriving ones. Kyle is known for his powerful framework “The 10 WEs”, which helps leaders move from a culture of “me” to a culture of “we.”

In this conversation, they’ll talk about how leaders can create trust, accountability, and shared purpose—and why excellence is less about perfection and more about intention and consistency.

Whether you’re leading a team, coaching others, or simply looking to raise your own standards, you’ll walk away with practical insights and inspiration from Kyle’s experience guiding leaders across industries.

Duration: 36:10

Connect with Kyle McDowell:

• Website: kylemcdowellinc.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kylemcdowellinc

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
• Facebook: @ExecutiveMindsetCoaching
• Twitter: @TheExecMind

In this episode, we’re talking about something vital for both personal and professional success — the Future Ready Mindset. And to guide us through this fascinating topic, Graham is joined by Allister Frost.

Allister is a pioneer in digital transformation and a sought-after keynote speaker who helps organisations embrace change with confidence and curiosity. Together, we’ll unpack what it truly means to be future-ready — how to shift your mindset, stay adaptable, and thrive in times of uncertainty.

🎧  So, let’s jump right into this powerful conversation with Allister Frost on The Coaching Conversation.

Duration: 22:38

Connect with Allister Frost:

• Website: allisterspeaks.com/readyalready

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
• Facebook: @ExecutiveMindsetCoaching
• Twitter: @TheExecMind

In this powerful episode, Graham sits down with Simone Severino, entrepreneur, strategy advisor, and founder of Strategy Sprints, to uncover the true source of unbreakable resilience. Simone shares raw insights from his journey building businesses, navigating uncertainty, and helping leaders stay grounded when everything feels like it's falling apart. From mindset shifts to practical rituals, we explore what it truly takes to persevere when most would quit. If you're facing pressure, burnout, or big decisions, this conversation might just be the reset you need.

🎧 Listen in for grounded wisdom, surprising habits, and the strategies behind lasting strength.

Duration: 25:08

Connect with Simone Severino:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simonseverino
• Website: strategysprints.com

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
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Chris is passionate about helping leaders achieve sustainable and positive change through discovering and developing their talent. In this discussion, learn how a wooden Toblerone inspired Chris' mantra 'keep it simple' and why asking questions is the best strategy for change. 

Duration: 29:42

Connect with Chris Howe:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-howe
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

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• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
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Graham and Rita offer valuable insights on how leaders can identify pain points, click solutions into place, and unlock productivity. 

Rita Malvone is a Business Performance Consultant for global clients like Volkswagen and Airbus, to help them bridge cultural gaps, empower teams, and drive results. Her “Chiropractic Leadership Method” transforms team effectiveness in just two days, like a chiropractor aligning the spine for better function.

Duration: 25:40

Connect with Rita Malvone:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com
• Website: www.RitaMalvone.com
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

Follow us:

• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
• Facebook: @ExecutiveMindsetCoaching
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In this fascinating discussion, Graham and Robert White, CEO of Brabners Solicitors, discuss True North - a network of like-minded organisations committed to supporting the future of the North. It unites the region’s most influential and purpose-driven voices to co-create a path forward to unlock the true potential of the Northern economy.

Duration: 39:22

Connect with Robert White:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robertwhitebrabners
• Website: brabners.com/true-north

Connect with The Executive Mindset:

• Website: www.theexecutivemindset.co.uk
• Email: [email protected]

Follow us:

• LinkedIn: @TheExecutive Mindset
• Facebook: @ExecutiveMindsetCoaching
• Twitter: @TheExecMind