In this special episode called, Never Lose Hope, Gary Cox and David Johnson are joined by Kateryna Valian for a deeply human conversation about resilience, displacement and the courage it takes to rebuild a life more than once.

Kateryna’s story begins in Donetsk in 2014, when armed occupation changed daily life overnight and she made the difficult decision to leave her home for Kyiv. What she thought might be a temporary move became the start of a much longer journey, as she adapted to a new city, new work, and the painful reality that going home was no longer simple.

Kateryna then shares how life changed again in February 2022, when she recognised the sound of bombing in Kyiv and the full-scale invasion forced her to face displacement for a second time.

This episode also explores the practical and emotional realities of starting again: learning a new job market, rebuilding confidence, being separated from her husband in Kyiv and living with grief.

Throughout the conversation, Kateryna speaks with remarkable honesty and positivity, describing how support from ordinary people, including her UK host Jane, helped her take the next steps towards independence and work.

Never Lose Hope with Kateryna Valian is a moving reminder that behind every headline are individual people making impossible choices, finding unexpected kindness and trying to build a future one day at a time.

To support Kateryna, you can contact her on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateryna-missiga-valian.

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to ⁠[email protected]⁠

🎞️ Created and Produced by YRAG Productions

In this episode of The Dog Ate My Strategy Show, Gary Cox is joined by a very entertaining guest, Graham Dewhirst, for an insightful conversation about the not-for-profit sector, trustee roles, and what it really means to make a meaningful contribution beyond your day job.

Graham shares lessons from his career in private equity and board leadership. Expect to hear some crazy stories about investments that were rejected board meetings.

Graham reflects on his work with charities, including the creation of Let June, https://letjune.org , which supports young people in North Kirklees at moments when small practical help can make a life-changing difference.

If you have ever wondered how to become a trustee, what non-executive directors actually do, or how volunteering your skills can help both an organisation and your own development, this episode offers practical guidance, honest reflections, and plenty of the show’s usual humour.

Hear what are the team doing over the Summer Holidays?

40 Minutes designed to help you switch off, be entertained and hear stories that might just change your day.

Feel free to email the show at  ⁠[email protected]⁠ and join in the conversation.

🎞️Created and Produced by YRAG productions.

Is the grass greener on the other side?

What does it take to walk away from a successful corporate career and build something with real purpose?

In this special episode, Ashleigh Wells and Mark Goddard share their journey from senior roles at US Fortune 500 Company, to launching WG Healthcare, a business built on trust, expertise and a commitment to doing things differently.

They talk openly about the risks, the pressure, the partnership that made it work, and the focus that helped them become leaders in a highly specialised field.

The conversation is a bit of a rollercoaster with a lot of unexpected turns.

It’s an honest and inspiring conversation for anyone thinking about leadership, entrepreneurship or making a bold career move.

We also hear about Emma B and her trip to Scotland, David’s latest project employing, Bob ‘the actual Builder, and an unfortunate accident with an exploding kettle.

If you want to ensure you don’t miss future episodes, subscribe or follow, The Dog Ate My Strategy Show.

40+ Minutes designed to help you switch off, be entertained and hear stories that might just change your day.

Feel free to email the show at  [email protected] and join in the conversation.

Your CAREER is climbing wall; it’s never a ladder with one climb only. You decide at any given time what direction to go in.

🎞️Created and Produced by YRAG productions.

Why do so many capable people stay silent in the moments that matter most?

In this episode, Gary Cox talks with Leena Dattani about confidence, visibility and how to speak up in high-stakes rooms. From the boardroom moment, that changed everything, to the practical habits that helped her find her voice, Leena shares honest, useful advice for anyone who has ever held back at work.

You’ll hear ideas on managing nerves, reframing self-doubt, preparing to contribute in meetings and becoming more visible without losing authenticity.

We also talk about situational leadership and having the ability to flex your style whilst remaining authentic. When should leaders change course?

A practical, encouraging conversation for anyone ready to stop waiting for confidence and start speaking before they feel ready.

You can contact Leena at http://linkedin.com/in/leena-dattani-75437710

We also hear Gary’s attempt at a simple mug repair, which somehow ended with a super glued hand and the dog needing an unscheduled haircut.

 Emma casually reveals her super skill and passion that could lead her to entering the UK championship.

🎧 Listen now and be entertained enough to forget your inbox for 40 minutes. Learn something that might help you take that small or big step forward in your career.

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to ⁠[email protected]⁠

🎞️ Created and Produced by YRAG Productions

This episode has a bit of everything: career reinvention, Shakespeare, community, a BAFTA-winning video game performance… and an Easter egg dilemma that probably didn’t need this much strategic thinking.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Karen Dunbar, we talk about what it really means to trust yourself when the plan changes. Karen shares brilliant insights on moving from TV into theatre, taking on Shakespeare without formal training, creating powerful community work, and saying yes to opportunities you might never have imagined for yourself.

Karen shares honest and inspiring reflections on:

• moving from TV into theatre when work changed
• stepping into Shakespeare without formal training
• the power of community, adaptability and staying open to opportunity

Alongside Karen’s interview, the panel also gets involved with the kind of hard-hitting issues modern life throws at us:

• is it still a thoughtful gift if the Easter egg has already been reduced in the supermarket?
• and can a strategy show really justify suggesting a letter to the Pope about moving Easter?

So, while there’s plenty of humour in this episode, there’s also a strong thread running through it: careers don’t always move in straight lines, confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything in advance, and sometimes the best next step is simply trusting yourself and giving it a go.

If you enjoy honest conversations, a few laughs, and practical insight on navigating change, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

🎧 Listen now and be entertained enough to forget your inbox for 40 minutes. Learn something that might help you take that small or big step forward in your career.

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to ⁠[email protected]⁠

🎞️ Created and Produced by YRAG Productions

What does it really take to stay relevant in a brutal, fast-moving industry for decades?

If nerves never fully go away, how do you still deliver?

In this episode of The Dog Ate My Strategy Show, Scottish comedy icon, actress and BAFTA winner Karen Dunbar joins Gary and David for a funny, honest conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the unglamorous work behind “overnight success”.

From returning home after a three‑week “conquer London” plan, to finding her confidence hosting karaoke, to grabbing the very last audition slot that changed everything—Karen shares the moments that shaped her career and these lessons are relevant to us all:

· Why reinvention is a strategy you can practise (not a one‑off pivot)

· How to build confidence through repetition, earn your stripes!

· Nerves: no hacks—just learning to perform with them!

· Opportunity moments: making the call, taking the slot, backing yourself

· Why success doesn’t automatically equal peace

Also, on, Never Stand Still Part One, we hear about what the three panellists, Emma, David & Paul did over the Easter holidays. Not exactly the most relaxing holidays for one of our panellists.

🎧 Listen now and be entertained enough to forget your inbox for 40 minutes. Learn something that might help you take that small or big step forward in your career.

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to [email protected]
🎞️ Created and Produced by YRAG Productions

In this episode, The Dog Ate My Strategy Show looks at what every day professional life can learn from a high‑stakes environment where calm, composure, and people skills aren’t “nice to have” — they’re essential.

We hear from the brilliant, Natalie McQuire, Veterinary Surgeon and Director at Sandbeck Veterinary Centre in Wetherby about:

1. Clear judgement without perfect information
2. Communicating honestly and focusing on a client’s needs
3. Emotional control when the room is charged
4. Letting go of the comfort blanket

These are exactly the capabilities modern workplaces need and can often lack.

Whether you lead people, influence decisions, or simply want to stay steadier when work gets a bit chaotic, this episode offers practical, human lessons from a place where decisions truly matter.

I also challenge the panel on whether they spend too much time looking at spreadsheets. You can play along too and test whether you need to broaden your life. 🤔

We have the most amazing email in our feature, " When the day takes a different turn." No spoilers, but this will take some beating!

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to [email protected]

🎧 Listen now, be entertained and bring some calmness into your day.

🎧 Created and Produced by YRAG Productions

It all starts here!

In our very first specially extended episode, Gary shares the origin story of the show, introduces the panel, and explains how Emma learning a new skill somehow led to Gary abandoning tea in favour of coffee.

Discover why a Yorkshire man willingly spent five painful days creating a theme tune, hear a special guest panellist share a powerful story of creativity and resilience as we go back to the 80s.

 Stick around for a closing segment aptly titled “When the day takes a different turn!”

Perfect for your coffee break, lunchtime escape, or daily dog walk — expect laughter, learning, and just a little second‑hand stress.

📩 Got a funny work‑related story? Send it to [email protected]

🎧 Created by YRAG Productions

Listen to the trailer of, The Dog Ate My Strategy Show.

A show with, 30 minutes of entertainment, laughs and thought-provoking stories.

Real people drop in to share their funniest, wildest, and most surprising stories about finding success and happiness at work.

Through entertainment and some extraordinary guests, we aim to help you be the best you can in any environment or maybe even think about doing something completely different.

We have some special features, where we want you to take part in the show.

Write in to [email protected] to share your stories.

Get ready to listen to something that will make any coffee, lunch break, or dog walk an entertaining and learning escape.

YRAG Productions