TIE Unearthed

What does it take to lead in a world where connection and belonging are shifting before our eyes?

How do leaders need to adapt to a workforce that’s increasingly hybrid, and where the next generation of talent expects so much more?

I’m thrilled to reconnect with Susy Martins, a friend from university and an inspiring leader with a career that has spanned over 20 countries and some of the biggest names in business, from GE to Clearco.

Susy’s journey from corporate powerhouses to founding her own HR consultancy is packed with valuable insights for today’s evolving workplace.

Together, we explore Susy’s transition from leading large teams with million-dollar budgets to building her own business.

We talk about the new paradigm of “conscious unbossing” and how it’s shaping future leadership.

She shares eye-opening stats on connection and belonging in remote work—and why it’s a wake-up call for leaders.

We hear how organizational network mapping is revealing hidden insights about engagement. And then the shifts in leadership the next generation demands—and how we can adapt.

And Susy shares her key to success and a simple yet transformative framework that’s shaped her career.

If you want to foster a more connected, engaged, and agile workforce, this episode is for you. Grab your favourite drink, lace up those running shoes, and here is Susy!

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If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

How does connecting with the real world connect us to our unconscious mind?

Why is learning to harness our intuition considered one of the greatest superpowers at our disposal?

And in what way is intuition both scientifically proven and deeply spiritual?

Today, we’re exploring the hidden power of intuition—a concept often regarded as mysterious or “woo-woo,” yet grounded in a wisdom that transcends the rational.

My guest, Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir, is an Icelandic author, filmmaker, and leading voice in sustainability who has shaped her life and career across diverse fields, sparking change through her unique blend of insights.

Hrund’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From community-driven post-conflict reconstruction work in Kosovo to confronting burnout in the UN, she has navigated intense experiences that ultimately led her to embrace intuition and purposeful connection as guiding forces.

Today, she’ll share practical ways to tap into your own intuition—and why sometimes we need to tune into a different rhythm to find our way forward.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why intuition is a powerful tool for navigating our fast-paced, complex world.

If you’ve ever wondered how intuition fits into our modern, data-driven lives or how it might be the secret to both personal fulfilment and groundbreaking innovation, this episode is for you.

So, wherever you are, let’s delve into this fascinating conversation with Hrund and uncover the transformative power of intuition.

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

If you'd like to stay updated on future episodes and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠⁠[here⁠⁠].

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠⁠[here⁠⁠].

And to reach out to Hrund, you can find her here:

Website - www.hrundgunnsteinsdottir.com

InnSæi with Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir - Newsletter https://substack.com/@hrund

Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/hrundgunnsteinsdottir

And here is Hrund's TED talk - go.ted.com/hrundgunnsteinsdottir

For most of us, AI became an everyday reality when ChatGPT hit the scene in November 2022. But Joe Fennell, my guest on this week’s TIE Unearthed podcast, has been wrestling with AI’s challenges and opportunities long before that.

In today's episode we dive deep into AI ethics, exploring questions like:

Can AI be a force for good?

How do we prevent it from widening global inequalities?

And what guardrails are crucial to keep our world safe?

Joe’s journey began when he realised that AI was going to transform the future—he even changed career plans from law to philosophy of AI and ethics. Now, he’s just graduated from the University of Cambridge’s first-ever Mphil cohort studying the 'Ethics of AI, Data, and Algorithms.'

We talk about everything from AI's role in global power dynamics, to fuzzy robots helping kids learn, and even how AI might reshape healthcare.

Plus, we dig into Joe's work with the UN Mission in Kosovo, using AI to empower young people and keep them safe from scams and threats in the digital world.

This is one of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve had. If you're curious about how AI can be used as a social catalyst, how it might impact society at large—or what you should specifically be worried about—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in now to Episode 96 of TIE Unearthed.

If you’d like to get in touch with Joe, you can find him here [email protected] or here joefennell.com

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If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that [⁠⁠here⁠⁠.]

What does it mean to align purpose with business, and why is artisanal mining key to a sustainable future?

In today’s TIE Unearthed episode, we’re joined by Rob Karpati, a leader whose impressive career in global finance took a purposeful turn toward driving social impact.

As a partner at The Blended Capital Group, Rob is on a mission to reshape artisanal mining—an industry that plays a critical role in the global energy transition.

We’ll explore how artisanal mining, which accounts for 20% of the world’s gold and significant portions of essential minerals, can be formalised to improve not just environmental outcomes, but also the dignity and livelihoods of millions in underdeveloped regions.

Rob takes us through the collaborative opportunities between artisanal miners and larger industries, the potential for building trust with communities, and why professionalizing this sector is the future of sustainable business.

From human rights to climate change, Rob reminds us that business is, at its core, about people. He shares how his own journey from corporate finance to championing responsible mining was driven by the belief that creating social value isn’t charity—it’s a competitive advantage.

Tune in for a deep dive into the future of mining, the importance of stakeholder collaboration, and why real impact starts with human connection.

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

If you'd like to stay updated on future episodes and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Meritocracy would be a nice idea, but there is no evidence that leadership selection is meritocratic.

We live in a world where men succeed because of their incompetence, and women fail because of their competence.

So, what does progress look like?

It is not about making it easy for competent women to succeed.

Instead, progress is making it harder for incompetent men to succeed in the first place.

If you would like to understand how the word authenticity has been weaponised in mainstream discussions.

Why you should not be yourself.

And the reason gender diversity in business isn’t for the benefit of women – then you really do need to listen to this episode with Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic.

Tomas is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University, co-founder of deepersignals.com, and an associate at Harvard’s Entrepreneurial Finance Lab.

And he is the author of 12 books – which includes Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and How to Fix It).

This is a conversation that turns so much conventional thinking on its head. My favourite type of conversation!

So if you’re keen to understand how not to lead to the economic decline of your company, this thinking will probably be helpful.

So throw on those running shoes or find that favourite beverage, and here is Tomas.

If you’d like to find out more about Tomas’ books and check out his TED talk, you can here:

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

If you'd like to stay updated on future episodes and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠⁠[here⁠⁠].

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that [⁠⁠here]⁠⁠.

Ever wondered about the unseen struggles that young girls face around the world when it comes to menstruation, especially in remote areas? 🌍

In this eye-opening episode of TIE Unearthed, I sit down with Sia Towo, the Managing Director of Femme International in Tanzania, to delve deep into the challenges around culture and periods.

Sia, with nearly eight years of experience working on grassroots initiatives across East Africa, sheds light on the harsh realities that many young girls endure due to lack of education and cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation.

From the remote villages where girls are left uninformed about puberty, to the heartbreaking truth of young girls being forced into early marriage simply because they've started menstruating, Sia paints a vivid picture of the challenges they face. We discuss how these deeply ingrained cultural practices need to be rethought, especially when they infringe upon basic human rights.

But it’s not just about the challenges—Sia shares stories of resilience and progress, highlighting the tangible impact that education and access to menstrual products can have on a girl’s life.

And then, what is a crucial part of the solution to change. It’s not what you would expect.

So, whether you’re commuting, sipping your morning coffee, or winding down for the day, tune in to hear Sia’s powerful insights and learn how we can all play a part in breaking down these barriers.

👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe!

If you'd like to stay updated on future episodes and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠⁠here.

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

And if you would like to learn more about Femme International, click here.

We know people-first companies are more competitive. BUT, for that to be possible, we need the L&D bods to be confident, have a voice, and have a place at the table.

This is the KEY to ensure that the culture of companies is heading in the right direction.

So, who is getting the L&D people ready for the C-suit conversations? 🤔

Today I’m speaking with my friend Cathy Hoy, a seasoned learning leader with over two decades of experience in Learning and Organisational Development.

After working for big corporates like Tesco, Coke, and Expedia, Cathy co-founded and now runs CLO100, which focuses on developing those who develop others.

CLO100 provides Community Membership and the Learning Leaders Programme, a programme dedicated to the development of L&D leaders, equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to create high-performing learning organisations. 🏆

In this episode Cathy highlights the power of learning from failures, creating safe communities for support, and the importance of well-being in the workplace.

Her experience in transforming the culture of a 500k-strong workforce at Tesco offers incredible insights into making behavioural changes part of an organization’s DNA.

And don’t miss her tips on combatting low trust, high absenteeism, and disengagement in today’s business world.

So throw on those running shoes, or grab that favourite beverage, and here is my friend Cathy.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

If you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠here⁠.

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠here⁠.

If you’d like to check out CLO100, the home of learning leaders, you can here.

And to watch Cathy Hoy's recommended TED Talk (mentioned in the episode) you can here: The Happy Secret to Better Work by Shawn Achor

I love mining companies – said no one, ever. This is a problem, right?

These essential minerals have a critical role in the energy transition; but we don’t want them mined. And few people, as a result of this negative image, want to go into the industry.

How is it ever going to evolve and be more sustainable?

This is the conundrum we are talking about on today’s episode of TIE Unearthed. I am joined by Dr. Haydon Mort, a British Earth Scientist with over 15 years of research and lecturing experience, and the visionary founder of

In this episode, Haydon emphasises the critical role of effective communication in the geosciences, underscoring how humanity and empathy can drive understanding and responsible behaviour in our increasingly interconnected

We explore how his deep dive into neurology led to innovative teaching methods, making his university lectures wildly popular. And now, as a trainer for geoscientists and engineers, why he champions the integration of empathy and psychological insights to engage the public effectively.

So, throw on those running shoes or find that favourite beverage, and join us as we uncover how personal journeys shape professional paths and the transformative power of diverse perspectives in science and beyond.

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this

If you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership

Keen to find out more about Haydon and his work?

You can find the Geologize website here:

And email haydon here: [email protected]

Welcome to Episode 90 of the TIE Unearthed podcast!

Today, I’m thrilled to feature Oliver Banks, an expert consultant who works with senior leaders to transform retail and consumer-facing businesses.

Ollie's career began with designing intricate systems in engineering, driven by a childhood curiosity for how things work. Seeking a more dynamic and people-focused role, he pivoted to retail with Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket.

Now, as a consultant, he advises on navigating transformation and the ever-evolving world of retail.

In this episode, we explore what true transformation means and why a human-centric approach is crucial in retail.

Ollie shares his thoughts on the industry’s responsibility to cultivate future leaders, hybrid working, and the delicate decisions of company policies when considering variables such collaboration, trust, and mental health.

We also discuss leadership, engagement, and the power of courage, with Ollie reading an excerpt from his book.

This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice for anyone interested in transformation and leadership.

Join us as we uncover the mosaic of Oliver Banks' career and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Let's dive in!

Please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

If you would like to be reminded of future podcasts and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠here⁠.

If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠here⁠.

If you would like to order Driving Retail Transformation, you can do that here.