Episodes

  • Ethical leadership with Antoinette Daniel

    Ethical leadership with Antoinette Daniel
    Nov 3 2025
    PE teachers could run the world.

    In this episode of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter talks to award-winning entrepreneur and campaigner Antoinette Daniel — founder of Just Helpers, an ethical London cleaning agency on a mission to transform the cleaning industry.

    Antoinette runs three businesses, has campaigned against modern slavery, and is a TEDx speaker. She believes business should create win–win–win situations for workers, clients, and the company. She shares how Just Helpers pays fairly, fights for better working conditions for cleaning staff, and challenges purpose-washing by showing what truly values-based leadership looks like in practice.

    Antoinette also talks about her path from PE teacher to founder. She argues that great PE teachers could run the world: they learn to read the room, negotiate constantly, manage big budgets, and lead under pressure — all critical skills for entrepreneurship.

    One of the most powerful parts of the conversation is Antoinette’s philosophy of interdependence. Growing up in the UK care system, she learned to be radically self-reliant. In her TEDx talk, she challenges the cult of independence and makes the case for asking for help, building trust, and borrowing the metaphorical ladder from your neighbour. That shift — from “I must do it alone” to “we can do this together” — is at the heart of how she now leads.

    We also explore inclusive leadership, reputation, and how emerging leaders can challenge discrimination.

    If you care about ethical business, leadership that’s human, and building systems that help people thrive — this one is for you. Follow Antoinette on LinkedIn · Book Antoinette as a coach or speaker · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    41 mins
  • Rebuilding after Burnout with Liz Bradford

    Rebuilding after Burnout with Liz Bradford
    Oct 20 2025
    How former MD Liz Bradford found purpose, resilience, and visibility.

    In this powerful first episode of Season 2 of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter talks to Liz Bradford, former MD and banking leader with an impressive career at HSBC, Merrill Lynch America, and SWIFT.

    After hitting burnout, Liz rebuilt her life and leadership from the inside out — discovering how physical resilience and a renewed sense of purpose helped her not only recover, but thrive.

    A self-confessed hardcore introvert, Liz shares how she rose to senior leadership by leaning into strategic visibility — becoming active in an Employee Resource Group for women, showcasing her transferable skills, and learning how to be seen for the impact she was already making.

    She challenges the idea that visibility is selfish, reframing it as a key part of career growth:
    “Being seen to be doing a good job is just as important as doing one.”

    Liz also explores what it means to bring your whole self to work, warning against the energy drain of maintaining separate work and home personas. Her message is clear:
    “Being yourself is more important than conforming and falling in line.”

    If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, self-promotion, or the pressure to fit in, this episode offers insight, empathy, and actionable wisdom from someone who’s been there — and rebuilt stronger. Connect with Liz on LinkedIn · Learn more about Liz's work · Watch this episode on YouTube · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    28 mins
  • Neurodivergent Leadership with Laurence Paquette

    Neurodivergent Leadership with Laurence Paquette
    Sep 3 2025
    Inclusion isn't optional.

    'It is extremely vulnerable to show up to work as your whole self.'

    Laurence Paquette is the head of marketing at Vestas in Denmark, a neurodivergent executive, queer mum, leadership coach, podcaster, and brand strategist.

    She also produces short, no fluff videos on leadership, burnout, imposter syndrome, and navigating work as your full self.

    These have earned her an audience of over 70,000 followers on TikTok and her thought leadership on LinkedIn has gained a following of 14,000 people. Her podcast, Original Minds, is about leadership for introverts, people who are neurodivergent, and non-traditional leaders.

    In this episode with host Charlotte Otter, Laurence talks about her non-linear leadership journey, leading as an introvert, and breaking traditional leadership archetypes.

    This is an episode with a leader who's living her diversity out loud, and shining a light on the path for others to do the same. Follow Laurence on LinkedIn · Laurence's website · Follow Laurence on TikTok · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    35 mins
  • Getting Messy with Daniel Atlin

    Getting Messy with Daniel Atlin
    Aug 27 2025
    Why leadership in purpose-driven organisations is so complex.

    "Changes usually happen not at the centre of an organisation, but at the periphery and at the edges."

    Daniel Atlin is a coach, communicator, strategist, fundraiser, adjunct professor, and connector with over 30 years experience in senior roles in Canada's post-secondary, cooperative, and government sectors.

    In this episode, he talks to host Charlotte Otter about his leadership journey from the music industry ('we got Napsterized') into the public sector, culminating in a role at Guelph University as Vice President External running fundraising, alumni relations, government relations, community relations, marketing, and traditional comms.

    Now a coach and executive advisor to leaders in complex institutions, Daniel is writing and speaking on the topic of sense-making. And he has a passion for unlocking talent and potential as a coach, as well as helping to recruit and promote leaders from diverse backgrounds.

    Daniel also makes a big announcement of his own - no spoilers here.

    This is a lovely conversation with a wise and thoughtful leader who's making a difference to individuals and organisations alike. Follow Daniel on LinkedIn · Check out Daniel's website · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    39 mins
  • Leadership is Learning with Liz Gebhard

    Leadership is Learning with Liz Gebhard
    Aug 20 2025
    A former Amazon exec talks vulnerability, learning, and risk-taking.

    "We are all icebergs and only 10% of what makes us diverse as individuals is visible above the surface."

    Liz Gebhard has led multi-billion, multifunction businesses in the US, EU, and worldwide. In her last role, she was head of global strategy and operations for inclusive experiences and technology at Amazon.

    In this conversation with host Charlotte Otter, Liz talks about her passion for creating inclusive cultures, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels, and empowering organisations to achieve sustainable growth through technology and customer experience.

    Liz describes how the twin vectors of having five generations in the workforce, and the acceleration and impact of AI, is increasing pressure on leaders.

    She says that leaders are making short-term decisions with long-term consequences while feeling insufficiently informed - and that the diversity of leadership makeup often doesn't reflect the people most affected by these decisions (employees and customers).

    This is an episode that takes on big ideas and global challenges - and what these mean for leaders - with an executive who's experienced it all at one of the world's largest companies. Follow Liz on LinkedIn · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    50 mins
  • I Hired my Boss with Amy Wilson

    I Hired my Boss with Amy Wilson
    Aug 13 2025
    Building a great work partnership can be life-changing.

    'Very few people would be willing to step down and reverse roles with their boss.'

    Tech executive, board member, investor, CEO advisor, mentor, and podcaster Amy Wilson describes how as an executive she hired her best friend Meg Bear and then swopped roles with her - and how this would be unlikely to happen in an alpha male driven set-up.

    They now run the very popular podcast The Meg and Amy Show, where they dive deep into HR tech and AI.

    In this episode, Amy reflects on her leadership journey, the dearth of female role models early in her career, how she chooses to lead, and being 'ruthlessly non-competitive.'

    Amy advises emerging leaders to speak up, build alliances, and manage their visibility by demonstrating value - especially for those with introvert tendencies.

    She gives an additional tip: absolutely do not do the emotional labour or emotional housework of teams (unless you love it!).

    This is an engaging episode with a leader who has a unique perspective on disrupting the status quo. Follow Amy on LinkedIn · The Meg and Amy Show · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    44 mins
  • Finding Your Voice with Kerrie Finch

    Finding Your Voice with Kerrie Finch
    Aug 6 2025
    The best emcee in the business shares leadership and speaking tips.

    'It's time. I need to stand up and help, and represent, and lead.'

    Reputation and thought leadership expert (and wickedly brilliant emcee) Kerrie Finch describes to host Charlotte Otter how she realised it was time to come out of the wings and lead SheSays Amsterdam, a women's empowerment forum that welcomes men to its ranks but not its stage.

    In this episode, Kerrie gives excellent advice to those who have ambitions to stand on the keynote stage and shows how emceeing is a form of leadership.

    We also talk about the challenges women face in accessing leadership roles and the importance of accessibility and community.

    Kerrie reflects on her own reputation, the impact of her words, and the responsibility that comes with being a leader and a public figure. She also shares insights into building a business, the importance of self-knowledge, and tips for emerging leaders.

    This is a lovely conversation with a leader who owns her voice and isn't shy to help others own theirs. Follow Kerrie on LinkedIn · Take a look at AKA · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    39 mins
  • Ask Me Anything with Charlotte

    Ask Me Anything with Charlotte
    Jul 30 2025
    Reflecting on the book launch and a new career as a podcaster.

    Reinventing yourself as a podcaster while launching a book.

    In this episode, Charlotte answers listener questions on how the launch of We Need New Leaders has gone - including an event at the IABC World conference in Vancouver and a book party in London - as well as her thoughts about starting a podcast.

    She says Speech Bubbles is the podcast that gives you hope about leadership in the world, and talks about some of the things that surprised her during the book launch (spoiler: the reputation of teams, who knew?).

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
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    21 mins