This episode is as down-to-earth as it gets. Amy kicks off with a reminder that fearlessness isn’t about having zero doubts—it’s about doing the scary stuff anyway. Enter Danny, who admits to feeling like an imposter when first asked to co-host, setting the honest and relatable tone of the chat. Danny’s story is a powerful testament to grit, curiosity, and learning on the job. He talks through climbing the career ladder without formal qualifications, managing teams of scientists, and the lessons he’s learned about leading people who might technically have “more” experience.

Amy and Danny break down the myth that great managers must be the most intelligent people in the room. Instead, they champion soft skills: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, the ability to listen, and helping everyone on the team recognise their own strengths. There’s plenty of humour as they jokingly dismantle the idea that “soft” skills are easy or unimportant—if anything, they’re the hardest (and most valuable) skills to master.

The conversation becomes practical, offering advice for new managers, individuals navigating “peer to boss” transitions, and anyone thrust into leadership before they felt ready. Amy shares actionable tips, such as writing down your wins and strengths, to combat imposter syndrome. At the same time, Danny describes his “jigsaw puzzle” approach to team leadership—delegating by strengths and always keeping the big picture in sight.

This one’s a must-listen for anyone feeling a bit out of their depth (hint: that’s most of us) and wanting fundamental, no-fluff strategies for thriving in food and retail.

Timestamps

00:00:12 Introduction & setting the tone

00:00:36 Meet Danny Franklin and episode topic: managing those more “qualified” than you

00:02:58 Danny’s backstory—climbing the ladder without academic qualifications

00:05:05 The transition from peer to manager, and learning to lead experienced teams

00:06:00 Age, qualifications, and why both matter less than you think

00:08:29 The real importance (and misnomer) of “soft skills” in leadership

00:09:28 Spotting and leveraging people’s strengths as a manager

00:11:06 Managing highly technical teams when you’re not the expert

00:14:38 The power and pitfalls of promoting top performers to managers

00:15:38 How to lead when you don’t know all the details

00:17:27 Danny’s “jigsaw puzzle” analogy for leadership

00:19:51 The value of team wins (not just individual glory)

00:22:31 Addressing ego and imposter syndrome in leadership

00:23:06 Strategies for building confidence as a manager

00:24:36 Real takeaways for leaders managing teams with more experience or knowledge

00:25:54 Why developing your team is a strength, not a threat

00:26:59 The bigger picture: leadership as assembling the jigsaw, not just being a piece

00:28:31 Closing thoughts & next episode teaser

Links and Resources:

https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/from-music-to-microbiology-exploring-food-safety-with-danny-franklin/

https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast/thriving-in-the-food-industry-how-let-them-thinking-elevates-your-career/

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

KEYWORDS:

Foodconsultant, foodindustrycoach, foodindustry

Welcome to Bethan’s Bite-Sized Bulletin - your quick-fire briefing on what’s happening across the food and drink industry. In under five minutes, journalist and Food Manufacture editor Bethan Grylls shares the latest headlines, trends and developments to keep you in the know.

Explore more industry news at foodmanufacture.co.uk

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsors the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

It’s a new beginning for the podcast. Amy jumps right in by addressing the elephant in the room: going solo after 208 episodes with Lucy.

She reassures listeners that The Fearless Foodie Podcast is an evolution, not a departure—still focused on real experiences, honest answers, and practical help for everyone trying to thrive in the relentless (but brilliant) world of food and retail.

Amy gets real about the tough parts of food industry life: the toxic patches, the wobbly moments, the burnout she once suffered, and the loneliness that can creep in. But she doesn’t stop at sharing her story—she’s here to use her hindsight for your benefit, so you don’t have to make all the same mistakes.

Amy’s fearless approach isn’t about being shouty or never feeling scared; it’s about finding your own quiet confidence, putting up boundaries, and daring to say the hard truths kindly.

Looking ahead, Amy highlights what’s coming: wider topics beyond just product development, with leadership tools, cross-functional advice, and guest experts including Bethan Grylls (with her Bite Sized Bulletin on industry news) and Danny Franklin (offering wisdom from a straight-talking commercial director).

Expect candid chats on what “being authentic” really means (spoiler: it’s not about oversharing), the permission to ask for help, and balancing big careers with being human.

Amy leaves you the listeners with three practical, feel-braver challenges to try in the week ahead. She encourages everyone to connect, speak up (even if your voice is shaking), and be part of a Fearless Foodies movement for change—one honest conversation at a time.

Timestamps

00:00 – Amy introduces the new solo direction, her mission for the podcast, and the values driving Fearless Foodie.

03:05 – Reflections on burnout, vulnerability, and why she’s passionate about changing the industry culture.

04:48 – Behind-the-scenes: guest announcement, fresh episode formats, and broadening the conversation beyond product development.

07:36 – Debunking “fearlessness”—it’s not about being loud or perfect, but about resilience and doing it your way.

10:06 – Amy’s personal experience with severe burnout, what it taught her, and how it motivates her coaching and podcasting.

13:10 – Setting out the podcast’s goals: real talk, practical takeaways, and a safe community for food professionals.

15:19 – Wrapping up with three bold challenges for listeners to try this week, and a call for feedback on what you want from coming episodes.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessfoodiepod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefearlessfoodiepod

You can follow us here on Instagram: @thefearlessfoodiepod

Find Amy on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation.

Microsearch Laboratories sponsor the Fearless Foodie Podcast https://micro-search.co.uk/

KEYWORDS:

Foodconsultant, foodindustrycoach, foodindustry

On the last ever "Oh For Food’s Sake" episode, we open up about the process (and sometimes pain) of letting go—whether it’s stepping down from your own business, leaving a beloved job, or, in this case, moving on from a podcast that’s meant so much.

We discuss how the show itself began out of Lucy’s journey with letting go of "Pudology," and how leaving isn’t as sudden as it looks from the outside. Both share the behind-the-scenes doubt, fear, and tough conversations that come before big leaps.

Amy explains how leaving her corporate career was terrifying, but ultimately created space for greater creativity and meaning and Lucy gets honest about how hard it is to say goodbye to something that’s become part of her identity but knows it’s time to allow new projects (hello, YouTube!) to take root.

We break down the stigma around the word "quitting," reframing it as evolving or moving forward—and offer straight-talking advice for anyone feeling stuck or afraid to step into the unknown.

There’s practical wisdom here too: from reevaluating your routines and systems, to recognizing whether your fear is rational, to getting honest about what you’d do if you weren’t afraid of failure.

Lucy and Amy are as supportive as ever, reminding all listeners that it’s okay to change, growth is messy, and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is create the space for something new.

While "Oh For Food’s Sake" is ending, the journey isn’t: Amy will be back with a rebranded podcast, and Lucy is jumping into new content, so make sure you keep following their adventures!

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Lucy and Amy welcome listeners and reflect on four years of podcasting together and the decision to end the podcast.

00:02:14 – Discussing the challenge of letting go—why we stay stuck, fear of the unknown, and personal examples.

00:03:30 – Behind-the-scenes of previous big life changes: stepping away from Pudology, corporate careers, and relationships.

00:05:03 – Examining the negative connotations of "quitting" and why failure isn’t fatal.

00:06:21 – The emotional experience of change—grieving, fear, and reframing for growth.

00:07:44 – Celebrating continued friendship, personal growth, and being honest in pivoting.

00:09:48 – Letting go of limiting thoughts and internal narratives, not just jobs and external situations.

00:11:09 – Creating space—how making small changes enables bigger pivots.

00:12:29 – Using self-awareness tools (like human design) to recognize if something is no longer serving you.

00:14:33 – Looking back on tough decisions and only remembering the good, after growth.

00:17:29 – Lucy and Amy reflect on what they gained by letting go, and the different types of change in life and business.

00:19:37 – Identifying when you’re operating out of fear vs. intention. Practical ways to check in with yourself.

00:20:52 – The regrets we don’t want to have and how to make bold decisions intentionally.

00:22:21 – What’s next? Updates on Lucy’s YouTube channel and Amy’s rebranded podcast.

00:24:51 – Thanking listeners, sharing the journey and what’s coming in their next chapters and an invitation to join the mailing list and connect for future news and resources.

00:26:19 – Final sign-off.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/

Welcome to another episode packed with insights, laughter, and brutally honest takes on what it’s really like working behind the scenes of food innovation. Lucy starts us off by sharing why Stage Gate is close to her heart—yep, she’s our resident “systems geek”—and Amy jumps in to champion the power of people and soft skills.

Together, we break down how Stage Gate is supposed to be a framework that supports swift, safe, and high-quality product launches, not just another dreaded hoop to jump through.

We explore why most folks in the food biz end up learning systems by osmosis rather than by proper training, and how the lack of clear, regularly reviewed processes leads to unnecessary pressure, repetition, and confusion—especially when every team seems to be stashing their own spreadsheet empire.

We spill the beans on how they’ve helped businesses map out what’s actually going on, often leaving people gobsmacked at the sheer complexity of bringing a product to shelf.

The conversation doesn’t shy away from the frustrations: outdated tech (“We’re still using Excel from 1995, what’s that about?”), squeezed timelines, and the struggle to get leadership onboard with investing in proper product development systems. We put a spotlight on the importance of soft skills and why junior and seasoned team members alike need better training and support—not just chucked in to ‘figure it out’.

Listener questions spark discussion about AI’s (potentially huge) role in freeing up time for the creative, human parts of innovation, and how vital it is to educate business leaders about making Stage Gate a business-wide priority, not just an NPD headache.

In trademark Oh For Food’s Sake style, the episode concludes with a call to constantly review systems, embrace new tech with open arms, and invest in people—because systems are only as good as the folks using them.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why Stage Gate is vital in the food industry
00:54 – What Stage Gate is (and isn’t)
02:18 – Lucy’s journey with Stage Gate + early food industry experiences
04:25 – Why people and systems must work together
05:23 – What Stage Gate actually does & where it goes wrong
07:27 – Product development as the “gatekeeper” role
08:24 – It’s not just NPD’s job: Why Stage-Gate is a business process
10:07 – The chaos of poor systems: too many spreadsheets
11:23 – The industry’s slow adoption of technology
12:45 – Workshop revelations: Realising the true complexity of launches
14:25 – The knock-on effects of a broken process
15:50 – What needs to change: Reviewing and modernising Stage-Gate
17:23 – Making frameworks flexible and people-focused
18:59 – Investing in soft skills and ongoing support
19:28 – Embracing tech and AI as tools, not threats
20:39 – Top takeaway: Systems + people = successful innovation
21:30 – Audience questions: Leadership buy-in, off-the-shelf systems, AI worries
24:54 – Training the next generation and the need for mentorship
26:55 – Wrap up and calls to action

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/

See you next time!

This week, we peel back the layers on what running a genuinely heartful business looks like in food and retail.

We welcome Andrew Thornton, legendary for shaking up the industry and for always bringing his signature purposeful approach to everything from the shop floor to the boardroom. Andrew tells the story of his journey from his first job in a Dublin newsagent—serving the iconic Fergal Quinn—to launching a consulting company and eventually taking on supermarket ownership in the heart of North London.

We talk about Andrew’s midlife crisis (where instead of buying a Porsche, he bought two supermarkets!), the challenges and triumphs of making Thornton's Budgens a haven for people, planet, and innovation, and the world-first plastic free zones that changed the industry’s approach to plastics. Andrew unpacks how shifting focus away from short-term profits actually made good business sense, and why psychological safety and authenticity matter—as much in retail as in life.

You’ll also hear why describing what people are doing well can make all the difference, what gratitude really looks like at work, and how slowing down at the start of a meeting can transform how people show up. Andrew even shares the story of the “giant tomato display”—a beautiful example of what happens when people are empowered to bring their full creative selves to work.

We wrap up with a bold look at the big challenges facing the industry (hello, UPFs and microplastics), and why real innovation—driven by diverse voices and new tech—is our way forward. Oh, and we don’t shy away from the fun either, because if work isn’t enjoyable, what’s the point?

Timestamps

00:00 From Dublin News Agent to Foodie

05:22 Musgrave's Long-Term, Stakeholder-Focused Strategy

09:21 Testing Reusable Packaging Initiative

10:46 Team's Dedication Over Personal Glory

15:59 Inflow Matrix Exercise for Success

18:37 Purpose Over Profit

23:36 Reducing Costs with Natural Sweetener

25:52 Tech and AI Revolutionizing Food Industry

29:14 Unconventional Meeting Approaches

33:10 Encouraging Innovation Through Open Dialogue

35:30 Gratitude vs Negativity Hardwiring

37:59 Start Meetings with Positives

41:40 "Essential Human Needs Reminder

43:58 "Share and Review Episode"

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/

See you next time!

We kick off this episode by confronting a very familiar narrative: Why is everyone blaming Gen Z for “not wanting to work”?

On Oh For Food’s Sake we refuse to let stereotypes go unchallenged. We ground the conversation in our blend of experience: decades in food manufacturing and retail, coaching, and plenty of mistake-covering confessions from the good old days.

Together, we share what they see on the ground: Gen Z is anything but lazy; instead, they’re hungry (pun intended!) for jobs with purpose, value alignment, and workplaces that actually support their well-being.

We hit on some key shifts: Gen Z isn’t learning everything by “osmosis” in the office, thanks to remote working and career launches during the pandemic. This means they need a different kind of support than “just get on with it”.

Amy shares candid voice notes from a Gen Z herself—juggling a degree apprenticeship, a side business, and a big corporate job—showcasing the real drive behind the headlines.

We share practical advice on bridging the generational gap and we don’t shy away from the frustrations but challenge leaders to stop “dinosaur-ing” and lean into more inclusive, empowering management.

If you’re an older-gen listener struggling to engage with Gen Z, or a younger industry pro trying to get your managers on-side without feeling like a cliché, there’s something for you here.

Timestamps

00:00 Supporting Gen Z in Remote Work

06:36 Gen Z: Bridging Generational Gaps

07:21 Empowering Through Contextual Understanding

11:48 Empowerment Through Structured Support

18:32 Understanding Gen Z Motivation

21:21 Regular Feedback & Nurturing Essential

25:19 Fostering Mutual Understanding at Work

27:40 Bridging Gen Z and Managers

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/

See you next time!