We kick off with Amy and Danny catching up and quickly getting to the crux: what does it really mean to be authentic at work, and why does the word so often make us cringe? The pair agree there’s a fine line between honesty and TMI, and dives into why being “yourself” never means dropping professionalism or using authenticity as an excuse for poor behaviour.

Danny reveals the internal conflict of trying to fit into extremely corporate cultures and the valuable lesson he learned when he realised some environments just aren’t made for everyone—and that’s okay. Instead, finding (or shaping) spaces where you can genuinely be yourself leads to better leadership, better relationships, and, not surprisingly, better results.

Amy opens up about her own struggles, from the exhaustion of keeping up a façade in high-pressure roles to the pivotal moment she decided to lead with openness about her own mental health challenges. Realness, the hosts agree, is contagious—it empowers teams to show up honestly and builds deep trust that is foundational in the food industry.

The episode is laced with witty banter, memorable one-liners (“If your whole self is a dick, don’t bring it to work”), and actionable takeaways for anyone aspiring to lead with integrity, vulnerability, and impact.

Whether you work on the factory floor, the boardroom, or somewhere in between, expect a refreshing, practical exploration of being true to yourself at work—without losing sight of boundaries and professionalism.

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 — Amy and Danny kick off the episode; quick intros and call-back to their earlier chat.
• 00:02:00 — Why “authenticity” gets a bad rap; setting the real agenda for “being yourself.”
• 00:04:27 — Where the “bring your whole self to work” mantra goes wrong (and how to set healthy boundaries).
• 00:05:13 — Oversharing at work—why it trips people up, especially moving into leadership roles.
• 00:10:02 — The value of being proud of where you’ve come from; how background shapes strong leadership.
• 00:13:32 — Danny’s story: Not fitting into a hyper-corporate culture, and why he decided that’s okay.
• 00:18:15 — Navigating big companies vs. running your own show; honesty about why some workplaces aren’t the right fit.
• 00:20:42 — Amy’s story: Dropping the armour after burnout and how realness built stronger team bonds.
• 00:22:58 — Creating psychological safety: Why vulnerability from leaders matters.
• 00:25:38 — When hiding mistakes (instead of owning them) can create real food safety risks.
• 00:26:01 — Why “being wrong” and giving your team a real voice is the magic sauce of good leadership.
• 00:28:24 — Re-capping the real meaning of authenticity—a blend of values, vulnerability, and professionalism.
• 00:30:10 — Knowing when a place isn’t for you; final takeaways on protecting energy and finding your fit.

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/

This week Amy dives deep with Breige Donaghy, who shares her journey from food science graduate to Tesco’s Director of Product Development & Innovation.

She explains the critical differences in retail philosophy between giants like Tesco and community-focused Co-op, and why that breadth of experience shaped the way she leads teams and builds supplier partnerships today.

Breige and Amy get hands-on discussing the realities of food development, including why product developers deserve more credit than just being “the fluffy ideas people.”

There’s a refreshingly open take on the weight (and the privilege) of driving sustainability, health, and resilient supply chains—plus how industry leaders need to wear many hats and adapt fast.

Straight-talking as ever, Amy teases out how supplier-retailer relationships are (finally) evolving beyond old-school commercial transactionalism. Breige details exactly what she’s looking for from supplier partners: honesty, data-driven thinking, critical friendship, and the guts to challenge the status quo.

For those on the supplier side, there’s invaluable advice on how to present insight, take calculated risks, and move from merely “delivering projects” to co-creating future food trends.

We also peel back the curtain on leadership—Breige shares her people-first approach and why empowering teams (with a signature “20% more” encouragement) is key to success. They conclude with actionable takeaways for anyone seeking to build bolder, braver relationships in the food retail industry.

Timestamps

00:00 "Two Decades in Retail Reflection"

04:25 Career Journey and Growth

09:15 Customer-Centric Approach in Business

10:23 Omnichannel Innovation and Collaboration

13:45 "Building Innovation through Partnership"

19:16 Embracing Failure: Lessons and Growth

22:47 Strategic Planning for Future Innovation

25:26 "People-First Leadership Style"

29:57 Harnessing Data for Retail Evolution

32:41 Omnichannel Retail and Behavioural Shifts

36:23 Balancing Skills for Future Development

40:33 "Be Bold and Customer-Focused"

41:53 "Fearless Foodie Wrap-Up"

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/

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/