The Hidden Currents Podcast

On this episode of the Hidden Currents Podcast, host Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Caroline Lytton, Chief Operating Officer of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, about the critical role trust plays in building successful teams and organizations. Caroline shares lessons from her career in banking and academia, exploring how trust can be built, lost, and rebuilt, as well as the challenges of overcoming silos and encouraging collaboration across complex organizations. She also explains why focusing on outcomes, staying flexible about how you achieve them, and building strong relationships are essential for navigating organizational complexity and creating high-performing teams.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Mario Joao, founder and CEO of Stratify Works, about why trust is the foundation of successful business partnerships and long term collaboration. Mario explains how strong partnerships require clear strategy, aligned expectations, effective governance, and genuine relationships between the people involved, especially as modern partnerships become more complex across ecosystems and multiple organizations. He also shares lessons from decades of building alliances, emphasizing the importance of understanding mutual value, involving the right stakeholders early, and keeping partnership models simple enough to work in practice.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Anne Ashman, founder and Managing Director of AA Compliance Compass Ltd, about why trust, communication, and respect are the foundations of strong business relationships in the construction and transport industries. Anne shares lessons from her leadership experience, explaining how transparency, accountability, and consistently delivering on promises help build lasting confidence with customers, suppliers, and teams. The conversation also explores her transition into entrepreneurship, where she now helps SMEs navigate compliance, improve business processes, and build the foundations for sustainable growth.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

Michael Carty, an independent business consultant, joins Paraic Mac Donnchadha to discuss why trust, accountability, and integrity are essential for building lasting relationships across the healthcare and charity sectors. Drawing on his extensive experience, Michael explains how strong stakeholder relationships, transparent governance, and clear expectations help organizations deliver better outcomes while maintaining public confidence. He also shares why protecting your reputation sometimes means walking away from opportunities that compromise standards, emphasizing that trust is earned through consistently putting people before profit.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

Paul Binnie, Operations Director at Nomad Infrastructure, joins Paraic Mac Donnchadha to explain why trust, regular communication, and genuine conversation are essential to successful business relationships. Drawing on his military and commercial experience, Paul discusses how overreliance on email can create misunderstandings, why AI should remain a tool supported by human judgment, and how strong relationships help align stakeholders. He also shares his vision for expanding green hydrogen production in Scotland and explains why collaboration between government, energy producers, and investors is vital to achieving long term energy security.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

Hamid Reza Abootalebi Jahromi joins Paraic Mac Donnchadha to discuss why trust is fundamental to successful project management, explaining how credibility, practical experience, and strong relationships help construction teams deliver better outcomes. He shares his perspective on balancing academic knowledge with hands on experience, earning trust across diverse teams, and the importance of motivating people through respect and collaboration. Hamid Reza Abootalebi Jahromi also explores the future role of AI in project management, arguing that technology should enhance human expertise and decision making rather than replace it.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with John Knight, Chief Executive of Treetops Hospice, about the vital role trust plays in hospice care and stakeholder relationships. John explains how open communication, honesty, and empathy help Treetops Hospice build strong connections with patients, families, volunteers, colleagues, and funders while delivering community based end of life care. The conversation also explores the sustainability of the non bedded hospice model and why strong relationships remain central to effective leadership and compassionate service.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Tyrell Jingini, founder and CEO of WearLivin Finance, about how trust, honesty, and clear communication underpin successful relationships across government, finance, and international investment. Tyrell shares his experience connecting African and European stakeholders, explaining why delivering on expectations and building credibility over time are essential to creating lasting partnerships. He also reflects on the leadership lessons learned from his grandmother, highlighting how integrity, patience, and empowering others have shaped both his business and personal journey.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Steve Elsom, owner of Number 4 Consulting, about how trust, consistent leadership, and intentional people development drive long term organizational success. Steve shares practical strategies for creating high performing teams, including regular one to one conversations, effective delegation, reverse mentoring, and adapting leadership styles to bring out the best in others. He also explains why investing in people, rather than focusing solely on performance metrics, is the key to building stronger cultures and more resilient businesses.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.

In this episode of the Hidden Currents podcast, Paraic Mac Donnchadha speaks with Kris Hall, Founder and Global President of The Burnt Chef Project, about the role of trust in supporting mental health, leadership, and workplace culture. Kris shares how the organization has grown into a global movement, providing education, therapy, and wellbeing resources while building credibility with both vulnerable individuals and corporate partners. He also discusses the importance of resilience, backing yourself despite skepticism, and staying committed to a purpose driven mission that creates lasting impact.

This show is sponsored by the Intergroup Consulting Method, the quickest, most powerful and effective way to turn around relationships that have soured among groups at work, or among groups that have got bogged down in delivering a major project.