The Lighting Fires Podcast

Host: Julie Williams MSc, Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Dr Tatiana Rowson, Associate Professor at Henley Business School

Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School.

In this episode, Julie is joined by Dr Tatiana Rowson, Associate Professor at Henley Business School, for a fascinating conversation about identity, career transitions and what happens when the life or career we've built no longer quite fits.

Drawing on her background in clinical psychology, coaching and academia, Tatiana shares her research into midlife transitions and explores how closely our sense of identity can become tied to our work. Julie and Tatiana discuss the value of creating space to stop and reflect on who we are, how we got here and what we really want from the next stage of our lives.

They also explore self-awareness and confidence, the expectations we carry from other people, imposter syndrome and the challenges of stepping into new levels of leadership. Tatiana shares insights from her research into menopause, including why understanding what is happening to us, or those we work with, can be so important when making career decisions and supporting colleagues.

A thoughtful conversation about knowing yourself, questioning the stories and expectations that have shaped you, and giving yourself permission to find your own way forward.

• Identity and career transitions in midlife

• What happens when our work becomes part of who we are

• Why coaching gives us valuable space to stop and reflect

• Letting go of other people's expectations

• Self-awareness, confidence and imposter syndrome

• Menopause, identity and women's careers

• Finding your own way of stepping into leadership

Find out more:

• Dr Tatiana Rowson at Henley Business School including her research and publications

• Coaching at Henley Business School

• Henley MSc in Coaching for Behavioural Change

If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) on LinkedIn or through her website here.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School.

To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Sophie Greenaway- Headteacher

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Sophie Greenaway, Headteacher at Thameside Primary School, Reading, who shares her journey from teacher to headteacher, the challenges of following in the footsteps of a highly respected predecessor, and how coaching helped her overcome imposter syndrome and develop confidence in her own leadership style.

Together, they explore the power of coaching, why great leaders don't need to have all the answers, and how creating a coaching culture empowers others to think for themselves. Sophie also reflects on navigating difficult conversations, balancing the demands of school leadership with family life, and learning to let go of perfectionism.

Towards the end of the episode, Sophie shares how receiving a later-life ADHD diagnosis helped her make sense of many of the challenges she'd experienced throughout her career, leading to a greater sense of self-awareness, confidence and acceptance.

Whether you're leading a school, a team or an organisation, this episode is full of honest reflections and practical insights into authentic leadership.

• Sophie's journey to becoming a Headteacher
• Finding your own leadership style
• Overcoming imposter syndrome
• The role coaching played in building confidence
• Empowering others instead of solving every problem
• Preparing for difficult conversations
• Leading through challenge and change
• Balancing leadership with family life
• Receiving a later-life ADHD diagnosis
• Why understanding yourself makes you a better leader

Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott

If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact. To find out more, visit Henley Business School.

To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Paul Whitby – Founder and Managing Directory of The Ecology Co-op

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by ecologist, entrepreneur and nature enthusiast Paul Whitby for a fascinating conversation about leadership, business growth, coaching and finding a more sustainable way to work.

Paul shares how a childhood fascination with wildlife led him to build The Ecology Co-op, growing it from a one-person consultancy into a thriving business employing a team of specialist ecologists. He reflects on the challenges of leading a rapidly growing company through the pandemic, working unsustainable hours, and learning to step back from the day-to-day in order to think more strategically.

Together, Julie and Paul explore how coaching helped Paul develop a different approach to leadership, improve delegation, create stronger systems and processes, and ultimately navigate the successful sale of his business into the European environmental consultancy group, Myllium.

Julie and Paul discuss:

· Building and scaling a business while staying true to your values

· The challenges of leadership during periods of rapid growth

· Why coaching can feel like "business therapy"

· Learning to step back and think strategically

· Delegation, leadership styles and letting go of control

· Using metaphors and visual reminders to create lasting change

· Creating systems and processes that support sustainable growth

· Selling a business and finding the right cultural fit

· Purpose-driven leadership and protecting the natural environment

· The benefits and challenges of implementing a four-day working week

This episode is an inspiring conversation about leadership, purpose and creating a business that works not only for your clients and team, but for yourself as well.

Resources Mentioned

· Essentialism by Greg McKeown

· Theodore Roosevelt's The Man in the Arena speech

· David Attenborough's Life on Earth

If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact.

To find out more, visit Henley Business School.

To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Amanda Lennon - HR Consultant, Employment Lawyer and Founder of Astralis HR

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Amanda Lennon for an honest conversation about courage, resilience, confidence and navigating a successful career on your own terms.

Amanda shares her journey from employment law into senior HR leadership, becoming the only woman on a board at just 29 years old. After a successful corporate career, she went on to launch her own consultancy business, Astralis HR.

Along the way, she has navigated challenges around confidence, rejection, identity and balancing an ambitious career with family life. Together, Julie and Amanda reflect on the coaching journey that helped Amanda build resilience, manage difficult situations more effectively and develop the confidence to bring more of her authentic self into the workplace.

Julie and Amanda discuss:

• Building confidence and personal impact in leadership roles

• Being a young female leader in a male-dominated environment

• Managing difficult conversations and workplace conflict

• Resilience, redundancy and bouncing back from setbacks

• Why business decisions are rarely personal

• The role of values in career decisions and workplace culture

• Imposter syndrome and learning to trust your own abilities

• Taking calculated risks and having the courage to try new things

• Moving from corporate leadership into self-employment and consulting

• The importance of lifelong learning and staying open to new perspectives

Amanda also shares some of the practical techniques that helped her step back from emotionally charged situations, gain perspective and approach challenging conversations with greater calm and confidence.

This episode is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation for anyone facing a career crossroads, building confidence in leadership, or wondering how to navigate challenges without losing sight of who they are.

If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact.

To find out more, visit Henley Business School.

To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected]LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Rory McLaren - Technology and Product Leader

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Rory McLaren for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, adaptability, confidence and learning how to navigate change.

Rory shares his journey from growing up in a remote ex-mining village in Scotland to becoming a Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of a successful startup, before transitioning into leadership within a much larger global corporate environment following an acquisition.

Together, Julie and Rory explore the culture shock of moving from a fast-paced startup into a complex international organisation, and how coaching helped Rory develop the tools, confidence and self-awareness to lead more effectively.

Julie and Rory discuss:

• Moving from technical expert to strategic leader
• Learning to influence without authority
• Imposter syndrome and feeling out of place in corporate environments
• The value of adaptability in leadership
• Why asking "stupid questions" can drive innovation and psychological safety
• Understanding personality differences through Myers-Briggs
• Reactive versus proactive leadership styles
• Building confidence through coaching and role play
• The importance of curiosity, learning and sharing knowledge
• AI, coaching and why human relationships still matter

Rory also reflects on his shift from "Han Solo" leadership, reactive and firefighting, to a calmer, more intentional and strategic "Princess Leia" approach.

This episode is a fascinating conversation about leadership in modern organisations, the power of curiosity, and why human connection and adaptability will remain essential in a rapidly changing world.

If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact.

To find out more, visit Henley Business School. To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

· Myers-Briggs personality frameworks

· Insights Discovery personality frameworks

Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc - Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Kate Gräfe - Social Value Director and former procurement and supply chain leader

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Kate Gräfe for an honest and reflective conversation about career change, confidence, self-awareness and creating a working life that genuinely fits.

After nearly two decades working in procurement and supply chain leadership within local government, Kate reached a crossroads. Following the pandemic, she began questioning whether the career path she had followed for years still aligned with who she was and how she wanted to live and work.

Together, Julie and Kate explore the coaching journey that helped Kate redefine success on her own terms, challenge self-limiting beliefs, and transition into a role focused on sustainability and social value.

Julie and Kate discuss:

• Knowing when it's time to leave a role or career path
• Career crossroads and creating a clearer vision for the future
• Balancing ambition, family life and wellbeing
• Discovering your "hidden superpower" through greater self-awareness
• The realities of self-employment and finding the right working environment
• Imposter syndrome, confidence and learning not to undervalue yourself
• How coaching creates clarity, structure and momentum during times of change
• Redundancy, resilience and staying open to unexpected opportunities
• Understanding interpersonal differences through personality profiles

Kate also reflects on the surprising realisation that came through personality profiling work during coaching, and how understanding where she gets her energy from helped shape the next stage of her career and life.

This episode is a thoughtful and relatable conversation for anyone questioning their next step, navigating a career transition, or wondering whether there might be another way forward.

If you're interested in working with Julie please contact her at [email protected], or Julie Williams MSc. (nee Walls) | LinkedIn or through her website here.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact.

To find out more, visit Henley Business School. To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

• Myers-Briggs
• Insights Discovery personality frameworks

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Steve Jones –Head of Education & Application Support (EMEA) at d&b audiotechnik

In the opening episode of Series 3 of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Steve Jones for an honest and insightful conversation about leadership, confidence, self-awareness and the power of coaching.

Steve shares the experiences that shaped his resilient outlook on life, from a challenging childhood to building a successful international career in the fast-paced live events industry. He reflects on stepping into leadership without a traditional management pathway, navigating team conflict during the pandemic, and the self-doubt that can come with increased responsibility.

Together, Julie and Steve explore how coaching helped Steve better understand himself, recognise his strengths, and grow into a more confident and authentic leader.

Julie and Steve discuss:

• How difficult life experiences can shape resilience and mindset

• Moving from technical expert to people leader

• Why many managers feel unprepared for leadership roles

• Understanding interpersonal differences through personality profiles

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and building executive presence

• The value of self-awareness in leadership

• Why coaching creates the time and space to think clearly

• Leading teams with greater honesty, confidence and trust

This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn't require perfection or having all the answers. Often, it begins with understanding yourself.

If you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School, a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact.

To find out more, visit Henley Business School. To find out more about the Insights Discovery psychometric tool, visit Insights Discovery.

Resources Mentioned

• Myers-Briggs and Insights Discovery personality frameworks

• Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

• Purposive Drift by Richard Oliver (career and leadership development concept)

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.ukEmail: [email protected]LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review, it helps more listeners discover these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy | Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay | Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Katie Denyer- Executive Coach, Supervisor and Tutor at Henley Business School

In this bonus episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Katie Denyer. Katie is also an executive coach, a supervisor, and a tutor on the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School.

Together, they explore what coaching really looks like in practice, unpacking some of the most common themes that have come up across the series so far.

From identity and confidence to limiting beliefs and career change, this episode offers a deeper insight into how coaching helps people better understand themselves and move forward with clarity.

Julie and Katie discuss:

• How our identity evolves over time, and why it's more flexible than we think

• The impact of limiting beliefs and where they often originate

• Practical techniques to build confidence and feel more grounded in challenging situations

• The connection between mind and body, and how this shows up in our work and lives

• How to approach career change and make decisions that feel more aligned

This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the coaching process, with practical ideas and reflections you can apply to your own life.

If you're interested in working with Julie on these topics contact her [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

And if you're interested in developing your coaching skills, Julie highly recommends the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School - a programme grounded in research, with a strong focus on practical application and real-world impact.

To find out more, visit Henley Business School.

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

S1 EP1: Finding Purpose and Leading Authentically – A Coaching Conversation with Pete Wharton

S1 EP6: Lighting Fires Podcast – Navigating Identity, Grief & Values with Hannah

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.ukEmail: [email protected]LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review- it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Artwork by Ian Guppy Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay Produced by Perri Hurley

Host: Julie Williams MSc- Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Rachael Burns- Head of Sales Operations, Capgemini

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Rachael Burns to reflect on the coaching they did together when Rachael stepped into her first senior leadership role.

Rachael shares her unconventional route into finance, leaving school at 16, starting out as a hairdresser, and building a successful career without going to university, before talking candidly about the challenges she faced when she took on a large, experienced team during a period of significant organisational change.

Together, Julie and Rachael explore what it really takes to grow into leadership: building confidence, finding your own authentic style, learning how to give honest and constructive feedback, and staying calm when everything around you feels chaotic.

The conversation also looks back with new insight on Rachael's later ADHD diagnosis, and how understanding neurodiversity can shape coaching, leadership and support in the workplace.

Julie and Rachael talk about:

• Taking on a first leadership role and finding confidence in your own style
• Why being good at your job doesn't automatically prepare you to lead people
• Learning how to have honest, constructive (and courageous) conversations
• Using the Fierce Conversations framework to prepare for difficult feedback
• Practical coaching techniques for gaining perspective and staying calm
• Finding rhythm and authenticity in leadership
• How visual and experiential coaching tools supported Rachael's development
• Reflecting on a later ADHD diagnosis and what it explains in hindsight
• How coaches and managers can better support neurodivergent individuals
• The importance of flexibility, curiosity and understanding in coaching relationships

This episode will resonate with leaders stepping into bigger roles, anyone navigating change, and coaches or managers wanting to better understand how different people experience work, pressure and growth.

Resources & Tools Mentioned in This Episode

• Fierce Conversations- Susan Scott A practical framework for having honest, constructive and courageous conversations at work.
• DOSE- TJ Power A neuroscience-based book exploring dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, and how modern life impacts our brain chemistry, focus and wellbeing.
• The Huberman Lab Podcast- Dr Andrew Huberman A science-led podcast exploring brain function, behaviour, focus, mental health and performance.
• The Stompcast- Dr Alex George A walking podcast exploring mental health, wellbeing and difficult conversations in a relaxed, accessible way.
• Time to Think / Nancy Kline's Thinking Environment A coaching approach centred on deep listening and asking spacious questions such as "What more do you want to say?"

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (or the MSc in Executive Coaching) at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review- it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Host: Julie Williams MSc – Executive Coach & Founder of Lighting Fires Guest: Greg Owen – Lead Product Designer, The LEGO Group

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, supported by Henley Business School, Julie is joined by Greg Owen, Lead Product Designer at the LEGO Group, for a thoughtful and honest conversation about transitions, endings, and what it really takes to thrive at work.

Greg reflects on his journey from professional ice hockey into design, entrepreneurship and leadership, and a significant chapter in his career: co-founding the digital design studio Daughter, growing it over seven years, and ultimately making the decision to bring the business to a close.

Julie and Greg revisit the period when Julie was coaching Greg and his business partners, exploring what was happening beneath the surface at the time, what the coaching revealed, and how that work helped Greg gain clarity about his strengths, energy and what he needed in order to do his best work.

This episode offers a rare and refreshing perspective on leadership and entrepreneurship, not through stories of scaling and success alone, but through the reality of recognising when something has run its course and navigating that ending with authenticity and integrity.

Julie and Greg talk about:

• Transitioning from professional sport into business and leadership
• What it's really like to build a values-led business with friends
• Why clarity around roles, energy and purpose matters in leadership teams
• How coaching helped uncover what Greg needs in order to thrive
• Navigating difficult decisions with honesty, care and integrity
• The emotional and practical realities of ending a business
• Letting go, moving on, and finding renewed energy in new roles
• Creating space for reflection during times of uncertainty and change

Greg also reflects on how his background in elite sport shaped his mindset around endings, competition and change, and how coaching techniques continue to influence his work in design and leadership today.

This episode will resonate with business owners, leaders and creatives who are facing change, questioning what's next, or grappling with decisions that don't come with easy answers.

Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono A powerful thinking and decision-making framework that helps individuals and teams explore ideas from multiple perspectives
• The Disney Creativity Strategy (Walt Disney Method) A simple yet effective creativity technique that separates thinking into three modes: Dreamer, Realist and Critic — allowing ideas to be explored, shaped and refined without shutting them down too early.

Henley Business School

Interested in a career in coaching? Find out about the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching at Henley Business School here.

Be sure to mention the Lighting Fires Podcast if you do contact Henley Business School.

Connect with Julie

Website: lightingfires.co.uk Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a five-star rating and review – it helps more listeners find these real-world leadership stories and insights.