In this episode, we’re joined by Aatif Hassan, the founder and chairman of Dukes Education, whose story moves in that quiet, surprising way where one decision changes the entire direction of a life.

Aatif grew up in West London, navigating school with dyslexia and ADHD, feeling the familiar frustration of a system that didn’t quite know what to do with him. Everything shifted when his father made a huge sacrifice to send him to a small independent school where, for the first time, he felt seen. Passionate teachers. A nurturing structure. Space to breathe a bit. It set the foundation for everything that followed.

He threw himself into rugby and the army cadets, eventually commissioning as a British Army Officer. The military sharpened the edges of his discipline, taught him how to lead, how to work, how to hold himself to a higher standard. From there he moved into finance, carving out a first-class academic record and an award-winning career.

And then life changed again. A cluster of tragic personal events forced a kind of reckoning, pulling him towards a new purpose: empowering young people through education.

Today Aatif chairs multiple organisations, including Cavendish Education and the Dukes Foundation, and serves as a trustee for the British Asian Trust and The Queen’s Reading Room. His influence stretches across schools, charities and policy, yet his motivation remains rooted in that early experience of what education can be when it’s done with care.

In this conversation, we explore:
💡The turning points that shaped his philosophy on leadership
💡 How adversity rewires ambition
💡What it means to build an organisation with purpose, not ego
💡Why giving young people the right environment can change everything

In this episode, we sit down with Sally Orange MBE, someone who somehow manages to be both utterly extraordinary and completely human at the same time.

A former British Army Major, world record–breaking endurance athlete, mental health campaigner and fundraiser, Sally has built a life around service, resilience and a kind of stubborn optimism that pulls people in. She’s completed some of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet, from the Marathon des Sables to the Race Across America, alongside more than 80 marathons, 8 full Ironmans and even a marathon on every continent dressed as different pieces of fruit. And that’s just the shortlist.

But the real story sits underneath all that, the personal journey through chronic depression and anxiety that has shaped the work she does today. It’s the reason she speaks so openly, and so generously, about what it takes to keep going when everything in you is telling you to stop.

Across three decades, she’s raised over £800,000 for charities, served on the front line as an Army physiotherapist, inspired young people through the Army Cadet Force and championed countless mental health causes. Her warmth and humour, even in the heaviest conversations, make her message land in a way that stays with you.

In this conversation, we explore:

⭐️The real meaning of endurance, beyond medals or miles
⭐️ How to be resilient without losing compassion
⭐️ Why mental health is everyone’s business
⭐️ And the small, practical things that help you rebuild when life eventually knocks you flat

A powerful, honest and uplifting episode with one of the most inspiring voices in the UK today.

In this episode, we’re joined by Edwina Dunn OBE, one of the most influential leaders in data and a pioneer of transformational change.

Edwina helped revolutionise the world of retail and consumer goods when her company Dunnhumby developed Tesco Clubcard and global loyalty programmes that reshaped how brands understand and serve customers.

Today, she is the Founder and Chair of The Female Lead, an educational foundation celebrating the achievements and diversity of women shaping our world. With a social community of nearly 9 million, they use data to uncover the real challenges women face and work with businesses and governments to drive practical change inside workplaces and across society.

She’s also Director of Tandem Agency, a creative agency that helps brands connect with the most powerful consumer force on the planet: women. Through storytelling, talent partnerships and influence, they’re turning cultural energy into measurable impact.

In this conversation, we explore:

➡️ What true loyalty means and how data can make business more human

➡️ The journey from disruptive startup to global impact

➡️ Why representation and equality matter for everyone

➡️ What it really takes to stay ahead as a leader today

A fascinating conversation with a genuinely transformational figure in business and social change.

This episode, we are joined by twins Julius and Fabian Cowdrey, boys from the Cowdrey cricket family. With backgrounds spanning entrepreneurship, music, professional sport, and even reality TV, the Cowdrey brothers have channelled their diverse experiences into a new shared mission as co-founders of Joyna - a community platform built to help people connect, grow, and find joy in an increasingly disconnected world. ✨

Julius and Fabian open up about their journeys, from the pressures of legacy and performance to the purpose they’ve found in building something that celebrates authenticity and human connection.

They share:
🔹 The courage to pivot careers and start again
🔹 The role of energy and mindset in building something new
🔹 How to overcome challenges while staying true to your purpose
🔹 What it really takes to create a connection in a digital age

From lessons in resilience to insights on modern community-building, this episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to combine passion with purpose.

We kick off the new season of What It's Taken, with Sue Atkins - internationally recognised parenting expert, bestselling author, broadcaster and leading voice in modern family life.

A familiar face on ITV’s This Morning, Good Morning Britain, Jeremy Vine on 5 and BBC Radio, Sue has spent her career empowering parents to raise happy, confident and resilient children, without judgement or pressure. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, celebrities and global brands, including fronting Disney’s ‘Gift of Play’ and ‘Time to Shine’ campaigns.

Her bestselling books - Parenting Made Easy, Raising Happy Children for Dummies and Navigating the Digital Jungle - are packed with practical tools that help families thrive in a rapidly changing world. Through journals, roadmaps, podcasts and downloads, Sue’s impact reaches millions across the globe.

✨ Whether you’re a parent, educator or simply passionate about child development, this episode offers wisdom for us all.

Tune in to explore:

• Why connection should always come before correction
• How to build children’s confidence and self-esteem from day one
• Parenting in the digital age
• What it means to Pause to Ponder what really matters growing up

In this special wrap-up episode of What It’s Taken, hosts David and Jenny Harkin reflect on the incredible journey of Series 1 - a collection of nine conversations with extraordinary guests from around the world and from all walks of life.

Across entrepreneurs, educators, creatives, and leaders, one message rang loud and clear: the power to lean in to challenges, opportunities, and even the moments that test us most.

In this reflective and inspiring finale, David and Jenny share:

• The biggest lessons learned from their guests - and from hosting the series itself
• How the stories have inspired their own thinking about leadership, creativity, and resilience
• A glimpse into what’s next for Series 2 - with new voices, fresh perspectives, and even bolder conversations

 If you’ve enjoyed the journey so far, this episode is the perfect chance to pause, reflect, and lean in one more time.

🎙️ In this episode of What It’s Taken, we’re joined by Tom Munday – entrepreneur, storyteller, and one of the founders of LUX Rewards, a tech start-up in the payment-linked rewards space.

Tom helped scale LUX from £0 to over £600k MRR, playing a pivotal role in its growth and ultimate acquisition. Known for outmanoeuvring larger sales teams with creativity, persistence, and genuine human connection, Tom brings a refreshing take on how to stand out in a noisy, tech-driven world.

Now, he’s passionate about showing businesses how to thrive in the age of AI by leaning into authenticity, personality, and the power of human relationships. Never far from a camera, whiteboard, or quirky prop, Tom’s energy is as engaging as his insights. 

✨Whether you’re in start-ups, sales, or simply curious about how creativity can drive real impact, this is one not to miss.

Tune in to discover:

• How to scale a start-up against the odds
• Why creativity and persistence beat size and scale
• What it really takes to build authentic connections in the age of AI

🎙️What It's Taken – Episode 008: Jeroen van de Waal – 'Work-Life Flow'

In this episode of What It s Taken, we’re joined by Jeroen van de Waal – mechanical engineer turned global CEO, and now a passionate ocean conservationist, educator, and CEO and founder of the BlueBeat Group.

After a decade leading multinational companies in Asia, Jeroen took a bold step away from conventional success to focus on what matters most: protecting our oceans and inspiring the next generation to take action. Now, through his ventures including OrcaNation and The Reef Company, he’s building a global movement around sustainability, innovation, and the transformative potential of the blue economy.

From boardrooms to coral reefs, Jeroen brings together world leaders, businesses, and young people to create lasting impact – proving that profit and planet can thrive together. Whether you’re interested in sustainability, education, or bold leadership, this episode will challenge your thinking and stir your sense of purpose.

Tune in to discover:

• How a career pivot led to a planet-first mission
• Why educating young people is key to real change
• What it really takes to drive sustainable innovation at scale

In this episode of What It's Taken, we’re joined by Hugo Mitchell-Heggs MBE, Royal Navy Marine Engineering Officer, submariner, and founder of HMS Oardacious – the fastest serving military team to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

With 15 years spent operating nuclear reactors and ship systems on submarines in some of the world’s most extreme environments, Hugo’s story is one of extraordinary endurance. Twice rowing the Atlantic Ocean—facing towering waves, capsizes, salt sores, and sleep deprivation—he’s pushed physical and mental limits to new heights.

Beyond his adventures, Hugo is a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing in the Defence community. He chairs the HMS Oardacious Submariner Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and serves as Head of Human Performance for the Royal Navy, focusing on building resilience and helping personnel thrive under pressure. Whether you’re inspired by tales of adventure, leadership, or mental toughness, this episode delivers powerful insights on overcoming adversity and driving cultural change.

Tune in to discover:

• The mindset required to endure extreme physical and psychological challenges
• How Hugo’s ocean rowing campaigns are transforming mental health support
• What it really takes to lead and inspire in high-pressure environments

🎙️ What It's Taken – Episode 006: Tom Whittle, Founder of Mission – 'Becoming Incredibly Comfortable With Failure '

In this episode of What It's Taken, we’re joined by Tom Whittle, the record-breaking adventurer and founder of Mission – the natural energy drinks brand fuelling everyone from Premier League clubs to Formula One drivers.

Tom’s story is far from ordinary. He left a Magic Circle law career behind to cycle the length of South America (12,500km in 300 days), followed by 17 marathons in 10 days – a journey that led to a Guinness World Record and the discovery that would spark Mission’s creation.

From testing performance teas during a brutal crossing of Iceland, to building a business that’s now sold over 10 million units and is redefining how we fuel our bodies – Tom’s journey is packed with grit, purpose, and ambition. 

Whether you’re into sport, entrepreneurship, or simply love stories of pushing the limits – this is not one to miss.

Tune in to discover:

• The mindset behind leaving corporate life to chase adventure
• How Mission is tackling the global caffeine and sugar crisis
• What it really takes to build a performance-led brand from scratch