The Culture Colonel

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.

Victoria Kinkaid is a British Army doctor specialising in women's health. She is a qualified Human Security Advisor and co-founded the Female Genital Mutilation education project. She's also been shortlisted for a 2024 Women in Defence Award.

Victoria grew up in Northern Ireland and shares how dreaming big, social justice, equality and feminism have shaped her life. She is passionate about evidence based research and is committed to improving servicewomen’s health.

Here she tells Lindsay MacDuff about the power of mentoring and sponsorship, as well as the importance of lifting and supporting other women to access opportunities. Victoria is on a mission to educate and inform the use of accurate language and to help with this, she brought into the studio a crocheted vulva. 

Listen to hear her thoughtful reflections on whether “women can have it all” and how leaders can be more effective in enabling this. 

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

Quotations: 

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

“A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step” – Chinese proverb 

Books Referenced: 

“Invisible Women” Caroline Criado Perez 

Other articles referenced by Victoria: 

Atherton Report:  Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life

Wigston report: Defence_Report_Inappropriate_Behaviours

Dr Nighat Arif – on Menopause hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty

Follow Victoria:

linkedin.com/in/dr-victoria-kinkaid

x.com/vkinkaid11

Listen to Victoria's Podcast "Virago Voices": podfollow.com/1518617892

Follow Lindsay: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

Follow BFBS Creative: (for the crochet vulva):

X.com/BFBSCreative

linkedin.com/company/bfbscreative/posts

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/ 

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

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

Lieutenant Colonel Damian Jenkins is the Consultant Neurologist for the Armed Forces and he is also Dean of St Hugh's College, Oxford. He was awarded the MBE for transformational leadership and the professionalisation of the Army's LGBT+ Network. 

Damian considers learning and leading with compassion, challenge and drive. He reminds us that leadership styles vary, but that removing obstacles from other people’s paths is a constant leadership attribute. He likens good leaders to trees in the rainforest sharing the light so that others can grow. 

Damian discusses the corrosive impact of bullying, harassment discrimination and the benefits of valuing difference. He recognises that huge progress has been made and that many people are thriving. He explains the importance of making time to mentor and guide others. He also sets out that there is still significant work to be done before all those serving can perform at their best.

Join Lindsay MacDuff’s conversation with Damian where there is energy, lightness and laughter. You will also hear his determination that everyone should be able to access opportunities equally. 

**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!**

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

Thank you for listening and take care until next time! 

Follow Damian: linkedin.com/in/damian-jenkins-mbe

Follow Lindsay: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

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/ 

Email:[email protected]

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

Jane Oremosu and Dr Maggie Semple are hugely successful businesswomen and thought-leaders on cultural change, inclusion and ethics with a focus on leadership development and governance. They are authors of My Little Black Book: A Blacktionary, - a pocket guide to the language of race.

Jane and Maggie entertain and educate in equal measure. Both are hugely successful businesswomen with extensive corporate experience and acumen. They both exude warmth, wisdom and passion. They are motivated, through purposeful work, to help and support other leaders through learning.

Join host Lindsay MacDuff as they discuss importance of the language of race, how it evolves and they offer practical tips for everyone. They also consider the need for leaders to create the right space for reasonable and safe challenge. Listen as they explain their thoughts and ideas on behavioural change and the need for accountable and responsible actions by leaders at all levels.

Above all Jane and Maggie radiate happiness and their brightness shines through.

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

Follow Jane and Maggie on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-oremosu-b8672411/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-semple-obe-fcgi-97481997/

And on X:

https://twitter.com/jane_oremosu

Jane and Maggie's company: Professional Business Management Consultancy | I-Cubed Group | England

Follow Lindsay: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

Quotations:

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence” – Sheryl Sandberg

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/ 

Email:[email protected]

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

Gemma Morgan recounts her journey from a promising young army officer to a survivor of severe trauma. Her book, Pink Camouflage, exposes the harsh realities she faced, including PTSD from her Kosovo deployment and a traumatic assault by a fellow soldier. Gemma shares her experiences of neglect and stigma within the military, calling for urgent cultural change and better support systems. She discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with compassionate individuals and the impact of genuine kindness during times of crisis. 

Now a seasoned leadership consultant, Gemma emphasizes the value of appropriate vulnerability in leadership and the need for systemic improvements in mental health support. Hosted by Lindsay MacDuff, this episode offers a deeply moving exploration of Gemma’s resilience and advocacy.

Support:

If you've found it particularly difficult to listen to Gemma's story, and need some support, or you know of someone who may be in need of some help, there's a list of organisations who can offer that help on our website: Audience Support | BFBS

Resources: 

The Sarah Atherton Inquiry: Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life

Women in the Armed Forces Follow up - late 2023: Women in the Armed Forces: Follow-Up (2023)

General Patrick Sanders excellent “It’s time to talk” video: It's time to talk by General Sir Patrick Sanders

Follow Gemma: 

linkedin.com

instagram.com

x.com

Follow Lindsay: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff 

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/ 

Email:[email protected]

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