Welcome to our series finale where we share the highlights from our Leading Storytellers event.

You'll hear how and why we make the podcast as BFBS Creative's Head of Content Alex Griffiths puts The Culture Colonel, Lindsay Macduff and Senior Audio Producer Josella Waldron on the spot in front of a live audience.

You'll also hear Alex in conversation with a panel of our podcast guests - Gemma Morgan, Steve Prest and Victoria Kinkaid.

There's highlights from the series and a little behind the scenes surprise at the end!

We're back with more courageous conversations in the new year! You can drop us a line while you are waiting [email protected]

**We need your help to shape the British Army's new LGBTQ+ Podcast! Are you connected to the British Army and passionate about LGBTQ+ representation? Whether you're currently serving. a veteran, a family member or a potential recruit, we want to hear from you! We’re developing a podcast series celebrating and exploring LGBTQ+ experiences within the British Army community. Your input will help us ensure it’s authentic, inclusive, and meaningful. We'd be hugely grateful if you could spare 5 - 10 mins to complete an anonymous questionaire. Deadline for responses: 31st Jan 2025. Click here to share your thoughts: survey Thank you!**

Thanks for listening and take care until next time!

The Culture Colonel is made by BFBS Creative.

Lindsay MacDuff - Presenter

Josella Waldron - Producer

Paul Osbourne - Sound Editor

Georgia Finch and Precious Kindipan - Production Managers

Ashley Wilkie - Series Artwork

Tom Hattam - Social Videos

Original Music - Will Farmer

Executive Producer - Alex Griffiths

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Follow us: linkedin.com/company/bfbscreative

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's improved the lived experience of women in the Armed Forces over the last two decades? Warrant Officer Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson knows and she's pushing for more longer term change.

Sim is a Royal Air Force Logistics Movement specialist.  She is the Deputy Advocate for the RAF’s Gender Network and she's on the committee of the Healing Military Minds fund raising machine. 

Proud of her Persian ancestry and her 22 years of service in the RAF, here she reflects on the importance of positivity and her drive to be a better person than the day before.  It's clear she's got commitment and passion in abundance.  She's also motivated by making other people’s lives better, empowering junior women and she reminds us that everyone’s voice matters – even if you don’t have a “big badge”. 

Join Sim and Lindsay as they discuss encouraging quotations, brilliant books and the importance of challenging respectfully. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

 Quotations: 

“If you don’t know your purpose, follow your passion.” – Jennifer Lee 

“There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t support other women” – Madeleine Albright 

 Books Referenced: 

“Leading Gracefully” Monique Svazlian Tallon 

“Positive Vibes” by Vex King 

Other Articles mentioned by Sim: 

Kate Winslet interviews about women’s appearances: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c05jr43dejjo

Follow Sim: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sim-rezazadeh-wilson

Instagram:  instagram.com/sim_rezazadeh/ 

X:  twitter.com/SimRezazadeh

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reverend (Group Captain) Ruth Hake is the Royal Air Force’s Deputy Chaplain in Chief. 

Here she shares her remarkable journey to becoming a Royal Air Force padre; not least her reticence to be a vicar. Ruth discusses the unique role of chaplains in the Armed Forces and their vital work to provide pastoral and spiritual support.   

Ruth reflects on the value of appropriate vulnerability; something that Gemma Morgan also discussed in Episode 6 (“Captain Morgan’s lost her marbles” Link below). She discusses culture change, the difficulty of challenge and how best to do this. 

Finally, Ruth reminds us to think about how we make our people feel and the impact and power of an apology. 

Join Ruth and Lindsay MacDuff as they ruminate on leading well with care and compassion.

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time!

Listen to episode 6 with Gemma Morgan on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com and Spotify:open.spotify.com/episode

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim “Grimmers” Grimley is a Captain in the Royal Navy who unexpectedly became the Lead Ally to the Naval Servicewomen’s Network, a role which has opened his eyes to the experience of women in the Armed Forces.

From ill-fitting kit to poor supplies of period products, Grimmers is always keen to learn about the difficulties servicewomen are faced with and how they impact combat effectiveness.

He tells Lindsay MacDuff why it's important for leaders to have courageous conversations.

Grimmers is completely committed to encouraging men to lead organisational culture change. He stresses that leaders at every rank and grade have a part to play in changing culture. He's also got some top tips for how to be a better male ally.

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

Grimmers mentions a previous episode of this podcast featuring Steve Prest - you can listen here:

Spotify: open.spotify.com

Apple: podcasts.apple.com

Quotations: 

“Until the observers are punished as severely as those who perpetrate the crimes, the culture will never change” – Anonymous women in Army evidence to HCDC Women in the Armed Forces Report (https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/125890/pdf/) 

Books Referenced: 

“Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Perez 

“The Accidental Sexist” Gary Ford, Stephen Koch and Dr Jill Armstrong (https://www.theaccidentalsexist.com/) 

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympian, Doctor and Army Reservist, Dr Kerenza Bryson’s achievements are super impressive.

This year she's been a full-time Modern Pentathlete. She is the current European champion and represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Alongside elite sport, she is a qualified doctor and an officer in the British Army Reserve.

Evidently Kerenza has all the necessary qualities to succeed in elite sport. However, her choice to be a doctor shows she has empathy and compassion. Furthermore, her service as an Army officer shows her time management and ability to balance multiple concurrent commitments is remarkable. 

Kerenza gives great insights into the opportunities and challenges she faces. She discusses the hard realities of chasing Olympic medals, pursuing her medical career and having friendships.   

Join Lindsay MacDuff as he asks Kerenza to reflect on her sacrifice and rewards and hear how she remains remarkably grounded, helping her identify what matters most. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

Quotations: 

“You can have it all, just not all at the same time” (Betty Friedan) 

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Follow Kerenza: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kerenzabryson

Instagram: instagram.com/kerenza.bryson

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lieutenant General Richard Nugee served for 36 years in the Army and in the Ministry of Defence. He spent many years on operations and he specialised in the people space; finishing as Chief of Defence People. He also led a review into climate change policy and sustainability in the Ministry of Defence.

Richard’s knowledge and understanding of effective leadership and culture change has developed over years of thoughtful service. He reflects on the importance of striking the balance between leading with confidence and arrogance. 

Richard also recognises the critical leadership trait of humility and keeping his feet on the ground; particularly when given the privilege of commanding service personnel. His mantra, developed in the early years of his career, became improving the lot of his soldiers. 

He explains the importance of leaders saying, “I don’t know” to create innovative solutions and establishing the conditions for all team members to feel valued. 

Since leaving the MOD Richard is a Strategic Advisor, Patron, Non-Executive Director, Mentor, Chair and Trustee of several organisations and charities as well as Chief Executive of the Scar Free Foundation. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

Follow Richard: 

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/richard-nugee

X: https://twitter.com/RNugee 

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toni Harding is an Aeronautical Engineer in the Royal Navy. She is a STEM Ambassador, mentor and works with the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces rugby team – often wearing leopard print heels! 

She is a thoughtful, energetic, positive disruptor who, after only four jobs in the Royal Navy, has been making big waves.  Toni has oceans of moral courage and strongly believes that good things happen when you do the right thing. 

Toni learnt early on the power of role modelling and how you can change culture with just one action.  She discusses the impact of having courageous conversations - it empowers others to step up and bring the best version of themselves to work. 

Join Toni as she shares her incisive insights that get beyond what you can see.  Take up her challenge for all leaders to get out of your comfort zone so that others can get into theirs! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

Toni enjoyed Rosie Wild's episode of The Culture Colonel, listen here:

On Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/52hFHoHFum5rhk8X4UkVCnsi=ErGNq47dTvStcES17dF2ww

On Apple: apple.com/gb/podcast/to-all-the-women-who-came-before-me-with-rosie-wild/id1762448342?i=1000666053091

Quotations: 

“Those who bring the sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves” J M Barrie

Follow Toni: 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-h-b0b03a50/ 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wafu_wonders/ 

Toni’s “Carried Away” Blogs:  https://timeforthirtyfive.wordpress.com/ 

X:  https://twitter.com/wafuwonders

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick Wood’s military service was dominated by 20 years of operations and defined by the privilege of leading, and following, remarkable people.  

His transition out of the Army coincided with Covid which complicating the challenge of landing well. Now he is leading differently in professional services. 

Nick reflects on the honour of leading and the importance of learning from everyone in the team.  His extensive experience enables him to talk with confidence about the need for nurturing, coaching, training, developing and mentoring people to empower them to be the best they can be. 

Nick also talks about how amateur dramatics helped him settle into life beyond uniform. 

Join Lindsay MacDuff and Nick Wood as they discuss the qualities of inspiring leaders.

What were your challenges when leaving service? Email us at [email protected] 

And if you know someone making the transition out of the armed forces, do send them this episode.

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

Quotations: 

“Things are never as good, or as bad, as first thought” (Anon) 

“True leadership stems from individuality that is honestly and sometimes imperfectly expressed.  Leaders should strive for authenticity over perfection.” (Sheryl Sandberg) 

Follow Nick Wood: 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-wood/

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.com 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former England netballer Major Jo Vann is a Regimental Second in Command in the Army Air Corps. She's also a coach, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur.

Jo tells Lindsay how sport and teamwork has enriched her life. She revels in creating cohesive teams and recognises the importance of celebrating and valuing difference – in elite sport and in the Army. 

Jo radiates positivity in spite of experiencing setbacks. She discusses mental resilience and the benefits of striving to create high performing teams. Her coaching expertise offers us incisive insights into what creates good culture and how to get the best from everyone in your team. 

Join Lindsay MacDuff’s conversation with Jo to hear about her desire, and responsibility, to pass on what was given to her; this is where she finds the richest rewards.

If you have enjoyed this episode you may also like this one: To all the women who came before me - With Rosie Wild

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/52hFHoHFum5rhk8X4UkVCn?si=5vZC9-_vRoW-hHM1ymrdsw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/to-all-the-women-who-came-before-me-with-rosie-wild/id1762448342?i=1000666053091

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]  

Thank you for listening and take care until next time!

Articles about Jo: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/50422585 

Follow Jo: 

LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/joanna-vann/ 

Instagram: instagram.com/joannamvann/

X: x.com/j6vann

Articles about Jo: 

bbc.co.uk/sport/netball/50422585 

Follow Lindsay:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. 

If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: creative.bfbs.com/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Balissa Greene is an award winning organisational psychologist with substantial leadership experience in large complex organisations. Her focus is on diversity, inclusion and culture change. 

Balissa's knowledge and experience of the British Army is profound. Furthermore, her thought leadership is impressive. Her wisdom and commitment to evidence based decision making also recognises the importance of people’s lived experience. 

She believes coaching is about creating support and space to reflect and think. It also helps deepen effective and inclusive leadership. Balissa explains how organisational culture is about the things are valued and this drives particular types of behaviour. 

Join Lindsay MacDuff’s conversation with Balissa to learn about the imperative to consider intersectionality and how you can help enable authenticity and high performance in your team.

We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected]   

Quotations: 

“You are what you promote” (Aidan Halligan) 

“Every wind is an ill wind if you don’t know which port you are sailing to” (Seneca) 

“The truth is that none of us can be free unless all of us are free” (attributed to Maya Angelou) 

“Do the best you can, until you know better and then when you know better, do better” (Brigadier Karl Harris)

Resources:

“Lived Experience Report” depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2282933/files 

Why Was It So Hard To Salute Our Sisters During Black History Month 2023? medium.com/@balissagreenecoaching

Closing the Progression Gap: Executive Coaches as Essential Allies in the Career Advancement of Black Women | LinkedIn 

Follow Balissa: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balissagreene/

Follow Lindsay: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

X: https://twitter.com/Scruff4284 

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. 

If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: https://creative.bfbs.com/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.