“Voices on the Edge of Change”

“Voices on the Edge of Change”

By Lou RobeyBusinessManagement
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“Voices on the Edge of Change” episodes

  • The First Hour Decides Everything in a Crisis

    Many crises are more predictable than they seem. Former BBC chief media spokesman Donald Steel joins Lou Robey to explain why preparation, clear leadership, and fast decisions can help organisations protect their reputation when pressure is high.

     
    Drawing on decades of crisis communications experience and his earlier work as a nurse, Donald shares why the first hour matters, how to get the right people in the room, and why leaders should focus on leading rather than getting lost in the details.  After years of managing the highest profile crises, some now historical, he’s the Guru of all crisis comms. 
     
     
    In this episode, you’ll discover:
    • Why organisations should plan for likely crises before they happen
    • How scenario planning and rehearsal can help teams respond with confidence
    • What leaders should do in the first hour and what to avoid
    • Why internal communications matter as much as external messaging
    • How communications teams, legal advisers, and executives can work together
    • How social media, AI, deepfakes, and cyber risks are changing reputation management
      • Lou and Donald discuss practical lessons from broadcasting, business, and crisis response, including how delays, silence, or disconnected teams can make a difficult situation worse. A valuable listen for leaders, communicators, and anyone responsible for protecting people, trust, or reputation.
      1 hr 42 min
    • Ban It or Fix It? The Case for a RE-BEL-UTION

      What if the answer to the UK's social media ban debate isn't a ban at all?

      Munur Shah, author of The Screen Addict and founder of Rebel Telecom, is launching a RE-BEL-UTION this June, and it's about to disrupt everything we think we know about smartphones and young people.

      As a coach and NLP specialist, Munur has spent years helping people break screen addiction.

      His approach isn't about restriction; it's about education, awareness, and rewiring our relationship with technology from the inside out.

      And now he's channelling all of that into the Rebel Phone, a genuinely different solution for the audiences at the heart of the UK's ban debate.

      Joining him is Laura Bloomberg, an independent consultant with over thirty years of teaching experience working with children with dyslexia and dyscalculia.

      Laura has been instrumental in connecting Rebel Telecom with schools and educational establishments, turning barriers into bridges and championing a safer, healthier relationship with technology for every child.

      Together, we unpack screen addiction, the limits of legislation, and what a real alternative could look like.

      A conversation for parents, educators, leaders, and anyone who's ever wondered whether we're asking the right questions.

      Voices on the Edge of Change is hosted by Lou Robey, LinkedIn Top Voice on Change and founder of Voice4Impact.

      For more information on Laura Bloomberg www.dyslexiunderstood.co.uk

      For more information on Rebel Therpies https://rebeltherapies.com/

      1 hr 30 min
    • Nikki Barua on Reinvention, AI, and What It Really Takes to Lead

      So what does it actually take to lead through disruption, not just survive it, but reshape it?

      Lou Robey sits down with Nikki Barua, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and CEO & Co-Founder of FlipWork, for a conversation that goes beyond strategy into the human truth of transformation.

      Nikki has spent over 25 years guiding some of the world's most iconic brands through digital transformation and workforce reinvention.

      Her journey from humble beginnings to global recognition, featured in CNBC, Bloomberg, Fortune, and Forbes, isn't just a success story. It's a masterclass in reinvention.

      In this episode, they explore:

      • The inner shift that mattered more than any external milestone
      • What most leaders are getting dangerously wrong about AI adaptation
      • Which fears about AI deserve serious attention — and which are just noise
      • What's really happening beneath the surface for leaders who feel successful yet unsettled
      • How to reinvent without burning everything down
      • The moment reinvention was forced on Nikki — and what it taught her
      • How work culture must evolve as AI reshapes roles, identity, and purpose
      • The skills that will matter most when technical skills keep changing 
      • The conversation more leaders need to be brave enough to have 
      • One grounded step for anyone standing at the edge of change right now

        • If you're navigating change — leading it, living it, or bracing for it — this one is for you.

         

        Voices on the Edge of Change is hosted by Lou Robey, business transformation expert, keynote speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice on Change.

        Connect with Nikki Barua: nikkibarua.com | flipwork.ai | @NikkiBarua

        1 hr 3 min
      • Will the UK adopt a Social Media ban - this is the question!
        What does it really take to protect our children online?
         
        In this episode, I sit down with Baroness Luciana Berger — former MP, now working in the House of Lords on two of the most significant issues of our time: assisted dying and the campaign to safeguard under-16s on social media.
         
        What she shared stopped me in my tracks.
         
        The average child spends 21 hours a week on social media. Not on screens generally. On the most sophisticated, addictive apps ever created. And that is only the beginning.
         
        We talk about the work happening behind the scenes to get the social media bill right.
         
        We talk about why Snapchat, the app most associated with grooming, bullying, and real-world harm, is so often the first one we hand our children.
         
        We talk about FOMO, comparison, and how constant exposure to a curated highlight reel is quietly dismantling children's self-worth before they even know who they are.
         
        Luciana brings in the medical evidence. The rise in anxiety medication. The surge in therapy referrals. The heartbreaking reality of children are taking their own lives because of what they encounter online. And she talks about the precautionary principle: once you have evidence of harm, you act.
         
        We also compare our own childhoods. We were naïve. And that naïveté protected us. Today's children do not have that same protection.
         
        The consultation is open now to anyone aged 10 and above. This is your chance to have a voice. To stand up. To be counted.
         
        75% of people in this country want some form of policy to protect under-16s online. The concern is real. The need is urgent. And the conversation is only just beginning.
         
        Are you ready to help our children stay safe?  Have your say here.
        1 hr 10 min
      • The Future of Leadership Is A Conscious One

        What separates high performing CEOs from those who burn out under pressure?

        In this powerful conversation, leadership expert Natasha Wallace reveals the science behind resilience, clarity and building cultures that drive both wellbeing and bottom line results.

        Natasha has advised senior leaders and executive teams at organisations including JPMorgan Chase, UK Ministry of Defence and Xero, helping them build high trust cultures that drive both wellbeing and bottom line results.

        Her work has contributed directly to improved performance and successful company exits, proving that humanity and commercial success are not mutually exclusive.

        As the author of the bestselling book The Conscious Effect, Natasha combines science, strategy and deep humanity in a way that few leaders can.

        In this episode, we explore how leaders can stay clear headed under pressure, build resilient cultures and lead with self awareness and confidence in increasingly complex markets.

        If you are a CEO, founder, senior leader or someone passionate about the future of leadership, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

        What You’ll Learn:

        ✔ Why wellbeing is not a soft topic but a strategic advantage

        ✔ How conscious leadership improves performance and long term results
        ✔ The science behind resilience and clarity under pressure
        ✔ How to build high trust cultures in overstretched environments
        ✔ The link between self awareness, empathy and commercial success
        ✔ What the next evolution of leadership looks like

        💡 Why You Should Listen

        Leadership today is harder than ever. Time pressure, complexity and constant change are the norm.

        Natasha shares practical insights from working with hundreds of senior leaders across global organisations. This episode goes beyond theory and into real world strategies that drive measurable impact.

        If you want to lead with confidence without sacrificing wellbeing or results, this episode is for you.

        1 hr 8 min
      • Why Being a Generalist Might Be Your Biggest Career Advantage especially in the World of AI

        What if being good at lots of things is not a weakness but your biggest advantage?

        In this episode, I am joined by Dr Mansoor Soomro researcher, educator and thought leader whose work challenges the idea that success only comes from specialising and picking one narrow path.

        Dr Mansoor Soomro explores what he calls the generalist advantage, why broad thinking, adaptability and the ability to connect ideas across domains are becoming some of the most valuable skills in a complex, fast changing world.

        We talk about careers, leadership, AI and neurodiverse talent and why many people who have never quite fit the traditional mould may actually be exactly who organisations need right now.

        If you have ever felt like you are good at many things but unsure how that fits into a world obsessed with specialisation this conversation is for you.  I can't wait to hear what resonates with you and get your reaction!

        For more information on Dr Mansoor Somoro, check out:

        - @Heymonsor (instagram)
        - TEDXTeeside: https://youtu.be/S4gZX0bExnQsi=hrsUxoPjG9YO6jVN
        -Checkout his book!  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Generalist-Advantage-Framework-Potential-Generalists-ebook/dp/B0F5Z1TYML

        It is a game-changing book for our era of specialisation! – Des Dearlove, Thinkers50

        The Generalist Advantage is a useful framework for firms in transition, preparing themselves for a high-tech future. – Yuri Bender, Financial Times

        The Generalist Advantage: Proven Framework to Explore the Potential of 4 Types of Generalists at Work delivers a compelling argument as to why generalists—those with diverse skill sets and broad industry exposure—hold a unique advantage in shaping the future of work.


        This book provides actionable insights for those who are still going down the path of the specialist in this age of AI.

        1 hr 8 min
      • Science Wasn’t ‘For People Like Me’ — Until She Proved Everyone Wrong

        What if the reason people don’t pursue science isn’t a lack of ability, but a lack of representation?

        In this powerful episode of Voices on the Edge of Change, Lou Robey sits down with Holly Ellis, better known as “The Scouse Scientist” a clinical geneticist working in the NHS who is quietly redefining what a scientist looks and sounds like.

        Growing up in Liverpool, Holly never imagined science was “for people like her.”


        With a Scouse accent, a love of fashion, and no family history of university, Oxford felt like an impossible dream until she took the leap.

        Today, Holly works at the forefront of genetics and proactive healthcare, helping diagnose rare diseases, prevent inherited cancers, and shape a future where medicine is personalised rather than reactive.


        At the same time, she’s built a powerful online platform to show young people, especially girls from working-class backgrounds, that you don’t have to change who you are to succeed in science.

        In this conversation, we explore:

         🧬 How genetics is transforming healthcare and saving lives
         🎓 Imposter syndrome, class, accent & belonging at Oxford
         👩‍🔬 Why the “mad scientist” stereotype is still holding people back
         👶 Motherhood, ambition & the invisible load women carry
         🎥 Why representation in science — on TV and online — truly matters
         💥 The power of saying yes before you feel ready

        Holly’s story isn’t just about science.

        It’s about identity, confidence, and refusing to shrink to fit outdated expectations.

        If you’ve ever thought “people like me don’t do that”, this episode is for you.

        1 hr 5 min
      • From Toxicity to Compassion: One Man’s Reckoning

        There was a time when he was the leader everyone feared.


        Ruthless. Cold. Toxic to the core. A leader who left scars, not legacies.

        But then came the reckoning, a moment of truth when redemption demanded its place.

        What followed was not just change, but the greatest transformation.

        From the ashes of toxicity rose a leader who discovered deep, unshakable compassion.

        Against all odds, he crafted a blueprint for leadership no one thought possible:

        ✨ The 10 Traits of a Compassionate Leader ✨

        The Compassion Exchange. This is not theory, it’s lived experience.

        A journey from destruction to healing, from fear to trust, from power to purpose. It takes pure courage, and in this story, nothing is held back.

        In this episode, Lou Robey speaks to Nigel Kilpatrick, co-founder of The Compassion Exchange, as he reveals his honest and brave transformation.

        This is a voice from the Edge of Change, from apology to compassion, and ultimately to courageous leadership.

        🎙️ This full story will challenge everything you think you know about leadership.

        To join his movement and their network and have access to all the amazing resources and masterclasses, use this link and get 50% off The Compassion Exchange Membership.

        • Use code: Voice4Impact50

          • 1 hr 16 min
        • The Myth of the Narcissistic Mother - Reframing Motherhood

          “The Feminism Debate: Is Feminism Betraying Women?” and we now flip the script on motherhood, work, and guilt.


          They called us narcissistic… for going to work.  For putting food on the table. For choosing survival over shame. But what if the real narcissism is in the judgment itself?

          We are responding to The Diary of a CEO episode “The Feminism Debate: Is Feminism Betraying Women?” and flipping the script on motherhood, work, and guilt.  


          In this episode, Claire Preston and I have come together to respond.

          👀 Teaser Clips Include:

           • The debate over whether returning to work makes mothers “selfish”
           • Gendered expectations around caregiving
           • The culture of female guilt and why it needs to end

          💬 Ask yourself:

           • Is survival really narcissism or is it brilliance?
           • Why are mothers shamed for what fathers are praised for?
           • What legacy do we leave our children when we show them strength in action?

          Out Now!

          1 hr 4 min
        • Bolder, Older, Greener: Sharon Sinclair-Williams on Leading Change in the Digital Age

          In this episode, I’m joined by Sharon Sinclair-Williams, a true trailblazer working at the intersection of carbon literacy, digital wellbeing, midlife storytelling, EFT, and sustainable design.

          Sharon is on a mission to help us live, work, and age more boldly and more responsibly. Together, we explore how wellbeing, sustainability and storytelling connect and what it really takes to lead change in today’s digital world.

          We cover:

          • The first accredited Carbon Literacy course for the digital industry and how tech leaders are responding

          • Why sustainability, wellbeing, and storytelling belong together

          • Ageism, visibility, and voice for women in their 60s and beyond

          • Using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to support grief, ADHD, and midlife transitions

          • Greener websites, WordPress rescue stories, and digital responsibility

          • The community power of Best Before End Date and what keeps Sharon learning and leading

          ✨ This episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and practical ideas for creating meaningful change — in your work, your community, and your own life.

          Chapters:

          0:00 Introduction

          1:20 Sharon’s journey

          4:05 “Bolder, Older, Greener”

          8:40 Digital leadership challenges

          12:15 Personal stories & lessons

          16:50 Leading change

          20:30 Green citizenship

          24:10 Key takeaways

          26:00 Outro

          🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders and changemakers on the edge of transformation.

          Find Sharon online:

          Instagram: @loveyourselffirsteft

          thedigitalgene.co.uk

          sharonsinclairwilliams.co.uk

          bestbeforeenddate.substack.com

          1 hr 23 min

        About “Voices on the Edge of Change”

        From the publisher's feed

        🎙 Voices on the Edge of Change is hosted by transformation trailblazer Lou Robey — a force in business change with 40 years of experience across sectors, including 25 years in broadcast media.