Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
Guest: Hannah – Former police officer, mother, and carer

Episode Overview:

In this deeply honest episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Executive Coach Julie Williams talks with Hannah about the challenging journey of navigating shifting identity through profound loss and life changes. Hannah shares her experience of moving beyond the roles she once defined herself by; Hannah the copper, Hannah the mum, Hannah the carer, and finding ways to remember who she is when everything else feels unsettled.

They explore how creativity became a vital lifeline amid personal turmoil, and how reconnecting with core values empowered Hannah to make courageous choices, including stepping away from a stressful work environment during the toughest period of her life.

This episode offers powerful reflections on grief, not only for those we lose, but also for futures we had imagined, and how values can guide us toward new beginnings.

Key Topics in This Episode:

• Navigating identity when your life roles shift dramatically
  
  

• Using creativity as a tool for healing and self-connection
  
  

• Coping with grief from the loss and decline of loved ones
  
  

• Recognising the importance of core values in decision-making
  
  

• Walking away from unhealthy work situations with clarity and courage
  
  

• Finding meaning and freedom amidst uncertainty
  
  

Julie’s Top Coaching Tips from this Episode:

• Reappraising your values to inform your decisions for each new chapter of your life.

• Exploring each role you’ve done to date, working out what you’ve enjoyed, and looking at transferable skills to help you tease out what’s your next career move.

• The mantra of no idea is a stupid idea can really liberate your creative thinking.

• What you can do to look forward even when times are hard. Identifying something that has meaning or purpose for you and perhaps makes a difference to others.

Connect with Julie Williams:

Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk
Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk
LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a 5 star rating and review to help others find these real stories and coaching insights.

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires

Guests: Joe & Charlie Jones – Co-Founders of Refreshing, a financial recruitment consultancy based in London

In this episode of The Lighting Fires Podcast, Executive Coach Julie Williams speaks with Joe and Charlie Jones, brothers and co-founders of the financial recruitment company Refreshing, about how coaching helped them transform their business, rebuild clarity, and rediscover their purpose.

They share insights about shifting their leadership model, rebranding their business, and massively reducing overheads without losing momentum. With humour, honesty, and real-life examples, they reflect on the power of creating space for strategic thinking and making bold decisions which align with who they really are.

• How coaching helped clarify business identity and direction

• The decision to rebrand as Refreshing and what it represents

• Moving from team management to a leaner, more focused business model

• The impact of reducing overheads and embracing efficiency

• Why being yourself is your best competitive advantage in business

• Creating time for reflection and strategic decision-making

• The value of honest, creative partnerships — especially between siblings
  
  

“Before coaching, we were just doing fine—but it was more confusing. Coaching gave us the clarity and confidence to restructure, rebrand, and move forward with purpose.”

“If it gets quiet, that’s when we go incredibly active. Coaching reminds us to always keep moving.”

• Make space to work on the business, not just in it – Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Book regular time to reflect and plan.

• Rethink growth – Hiring a team isn’t the only way to scale. Reducing overheads and increasing clarity can be even more powerful.

• Use your strengths – Build your business around what energises you and find partners (or systems) for the rest.

• Stay active, even when it’s quiet – Build habits around visibility, networking, and momentum.
  
  

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – Helped Joe and Charlie understand their different leadership strengths

• Visual planning tools (e.g. boards, monitors, lists) to prioritise tasks and increase productivity

• Internal project boards, reflection questions, and space for visualisation
  
  

• Website: www.lightingfires.co.uk

• Email: julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• LinkedIn: Julie Williams MSc
  
  

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a 5 star rating and review — it helps more people find these real-world leadership stories and coaching insights.

Host: Julie Williams, MSc – Executive Coach and Founder of Lighting Fires
Guest: Annie Willmot – Deputy CEO of Reading Students’ Union

Episode Overview:

In this inspiring episode, Julie Williams speaks with Annie Willmot about her personal and professional journey from conflict-avoidant team member to confident, values-led leader. As Deputy CEO of Reading Students’ Union, Annie opens up about the challenges of people-pleasing, avoiding difficult conversations, and learning to embrace her own leadership style.

Expect a very honest conversation, as honest conversations are very much part of Annie's approach to everything.

Through executive coaching, Annie discovered how to approach conflict with clarity, communicate with confidence, and lead with compassion. She shares how coaching, combined with tools like Myers-Briggs, helped her understand her strengths, navigate uncertainty, and build trust in her voice as a leader.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How executive coaching can support confident, authentic leadership

• Why conflict can be a catalyst for growth

• The value of personality profiling tools like MBTI

• How self-reflection builds emotional intelligence and leadership confidence

• Why embracing your own style is a strength, not a weakness

Annie’s Personal Reflection Questions:

• What impact am I currently having?

• What’s missing?

• What do the next three months look like?

Annie’s Coaching Metaphor:

“Before coaching, it felt like a grey sky with the sun peeking through. Through coaching, the clouds moved away—revealing the sun that had been there all along.”

Julie’s Top Coaching Tips:

• Use coaching tools beyond the session — they’re designed for long-term growth

• Build time for regular reflection (even if it doesn’t come naturally)

• Embrace your leadership style — it’s okay to lead differently

• Don’t fear conflict — handled well, it can unlock progress
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – supports deeper insight into communication and leadership preferences
  
  

Connect with Julie Williams:

• www.lightingfires.co.uk

• julie@lightingfires.co.uk

• Julie Williams MSc on LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five star rating and review to help others discover these powerful coaching stories.

Artwork by Ian Guppy
Music by Penguin Music via Pixabay
Produced by Perri Hurley