How to Thrive (Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon)

Welcome to How to Thrive - the podcast that's on a mission to help professionals thrive, not just survive. In this first episode co-hosts and sisters, Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, sit down to discuss what drives them to effect change in the workplace and to introduce some of the topics that they will discuss with guests in future episodes. The conversation covers the scientific discipline of Human Factors, civility in a professional setting, and how we define high performance.

Your hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your relationship with money preventing you from living the life you want to live? Co-hosts and sisters, Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, continue their mission to help professionals thrive, not just survive, by meeting the incredible Laura Ann-Moore. Laura is a Money Mindset Expert and Certified Financial Coach, teaching people about finances in a fun, jargon-free, judgement-free way. She's also a hugely successful podcast host - check out the Mind Money Soul podcast.

The conversation covers financial wellbeing as a pillar of resilience, how emotions affect our spending, and Laura's top tips on how to thrive financially and personally.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Smith Murphy is a Corporate Coach, but with a difference. She helps senior leaders in the corporate world lead in a way that is authentic to them and gives them meaning in their lives. Co-hosts and sisters, Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, continue their mission to help professionals thrive, not just survive, by discussing some of Victoria's ideas, many of which you may not have come across before, or may have dismissed as being "a bit woo-woo".

Victoria talks about transpersonal psychology, the power of knowing beyond the brain, and Claire and Helen have their tarot cards read!

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is a liminal space? What impact does liminality, both metaphorical and physical, have on our wellbeing? Is it possible to learn how to thrive in a liminal space? These are some of the questions co-hosts and sisters, Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, seek the answers to in this episode of the How to Thrive podcast.

Their guide through this fascinating topic is Ian Rodwell, Head of Client Knowledge and Learning at the leading global law firm, Linklaters LLP, who is currently conducting doctoral research on the role of liminal spaces in organisational storytelling. Find out more about Ian's work on his website.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mindfulness is a well-known tool for handling high-pressure situations, but when the going gets really tough, putting the theory into practice can become more of a challenge. Sarah Furness is a former combat pilot, who uses mindfulness techniques to help leaders perform and thrive "under fire".

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon learn all about Sarah's remarkable career, her journey through the military and beyond, and how mindfulness can help people thrive not just survive in high-pressure situations.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He may be a successful vet, but people are at the heart of everything Paul Horwood does. Whether it is decision-making under pressure, creating positive and productive work environments, or effective communication, Paul says people are always the common denominator.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, explore Paul's ideas and find the links between his veterinary work, the legal profession and many other high-pressure work environments.

Paul Horwood has had a fascinating career. He is a Veterinary Surgeon, former British Military Officer, and Co-Founder of Sandstone Communications. He also has his own podcast. Check out Because I Can.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mollie Pearse is a woman of many talents. She has a hugely successful career, rising to Head of Marketing at Meta for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She is also an endurance athlete, pushing her body and mind to their limits.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, explore Mollie's passions to find out what drives her, both in the office and on the track. And they explore the relationship between sport and work - can you learn from each to thrive at both?

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The link between being physically healthy and resilience in the workplace might not seem like a particularly clear one, but so much of what we do to our bodies can affect how we perform in a professional environment.

Natalie Connor is a former barrister turned wellness founder, who helps professionals perform at their peak through exercise, nutrition and mindfulness.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, discuss Natalie's methods and learn more about the link between professional and physical resilience.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It may seem odd, but Charlie Lawson, an expert in networking, does not enjoy networking at all. In fact, he describes himself as an "unnatural networker".

And in many ways, that is Charlie's strength; he helps other unnatural networkers, by coming from the same starting point they do, a complete dislike of networking.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, probe Charlie on how he overcomes his dislike of networking events, how he has made a career out of helping others, and get some top tips on how to get the most out of networking situations.

Charlie has two books available to buy: The Unnatural Networker and The Unnatural Promoter.

Join our Thrive Legal Launch Event.

Join us in London on May 22nd to celebrate the official launch of the Thrive Legal Community with drinks, nibbles and a live masterclass run by former combat helicopter pilot, Sarah Furness.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Every company has a culture, whether you intentionally design it and live it or not, but it's very important to make sure that everybody understands what it means to them and how you measure it."

How many of us have worked somewhere that claims to have a good culture and great values, only to find the reality doesn't live up to the ambition? Manu Kanwar puts a huge value on the work that goes into creating a great company culture.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, delve into Manu's ideas about creating and maintaining a great culture, the importance of measurement, and why the legal profession seems to struggle so much in this area.

They also talk emotional intelligence, purposeful alignment, and meditation!

Join our Thrive Legal Launch Event.

Join us in London on May 22nd to celebrate the official launch of the Thrive Legal Community with drinks, nibbles and a live masterclass run by former combat helicopter pilot, Sarah Furness.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all want to be more productive, but are we going about it the right way?

Working longer hours, filling our schedules with back-to-back meetings, and ploughing on through lunch might feel like we're doing more, but there is good evidence that actually taking a break can lead to us being more productive.

Caitlin Rozario is an expert in this field. Built on a foundation of her personal experience with an allergic reaction that left her temporarily blind, she went on to launch Interlude, the anti-toxic productivity bootcamp.

The whole ethos is helping ambitious teams make productivity more sustainable and less toxic.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, cover the benefits of micro-breaks, the "logic defying" billable hour, and Caitlin gives her three top tips on how to thrive.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Julia, I am just wondering, who do you ask for support when you need it?” This is the question that set Julia Jones on her journey to becoming a leader in experiential horse-led learning.

Her business, Altezza People, helps teams develop, grow and overcome obstacles by removing them from the office and getting them to interact with horses.

With a vast amount of experience in managing high-performance teams and creating development programmes, Julia says the experience can help people become more self-aware, learn how to modify their behaviour, and how to become more emotionally intelligent. 

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, learn more about Julia's emotional introduction to the concept, how horse-led learning actually works, and they get Julia's three top tips for thriving.

How to Thrive - November event:

Join us for a day of workshops and connection designed to help veterinary leaders thrive.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What impact will Gen Z have on the legal profession of the future?

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire Sanders and Helen Silver-MacMahon, meet Chrissie Wolfe, a Global Medical & Cosmetic Injury Lawyer, who has built up a huge social media following providing mentorship to the next generation of lawyers.

We discuss the different expectations Gen Z have for their work environment and their careers, and how that could, and possibly should, lead to big changes in the legal profession.

We also talk about the opportunities and pitfalls of social media, and how best to navigate the online world.

Find out more about Chrissie Wolfe:

On LinkedIn

Through her YouTube Channel

Instagram

TikTok

How to Thrive - November event:

Join us for a day of workshops and connection designed to help veterinary leaders thrive.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back after the summer break and feeling energised for the year ahead!

In this episode, co-hosts and sisters Claire and Helen chat about the taking time to reflect on what will make their business thrive (and what will not), the importance of perspective, and recognising your strengths.

They also discuss exam results, prancing ponies, and how a donkey made a good point about assertiveness.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If you avoid doing something you're afraid of, you're telling your unconscious that it's dangerous, which then creates a pattern of fear."

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire and Helen meet Jodi Goldman, a personal impact specialist who packs a punch.

Jodi is all about helping women "own the room with magnetic confidence, assertive communication skills and a powerful personal brand".

She discusses the power of the five second rule, why she believes it's important to recognise men and women as equal but different, and the role how we dress can play in how we perceive ourselves.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - let's go!

How to Thrive events:

Jodi is appearing at the Thrive Legal Community Meet-up in London on September 26th. Click here to become a Thrive Legal Community Member and attend the event.

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many times have you whizzed through an online training course at work, only to instantly forget everything it was supposed to be teaching you? How many times have you been tested on a company policy that has next to no impact on your day-to-day role?

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, co-hosts and sisters Claire and Helen meet Christian Hunt, a man who is on a mission to change all of that.

Through his company Human Risk Ltd he is trying to make the workplace a little more human, and help employees thrive.

Part of that is removing unnecessary training, which he says can have a really detrimental effect on the employee-employer relationship, and could be counter-productive when it comes to compliance.

Check out Christian's book Humanizing Rules.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you practise resilience in the face of personal and professional stress? How do you make sure you are being as kind as possible to yourself and others?

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen discuss how life's unexpected difficulties often demand resilience, and how that's sometimes easier said than done, even when we’re teaching it to others.

They also delve into the topic of civility - why it's important and how it can save lives.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many of us recognise this routine: Get up in the morning, try to perform as hard as we possibly can, for as long as can, and then go to bed? Sometimes it feels like the right thing to do, or even the only thing we can do. But deep down we know it is not particularly efficient.

Dr Rob Archer is a chartered psychologist who specialises in helping teams and individuals build resilience, improve mental health and sustain high performance. In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, he argues that what we actually need to do is think about the times of focus and how we prepare ourselves for those and then recover afterwards, so we can maintain performance levels.

Rob, Claire and Helen discuss the best ways to maintain motivation and effectiveness over the long haul without burning out. They look at practical strategies for setting realistic goals, managing energy levels, and creating a balanced approach to work that promotes both productivity and well-being. In short, how to thrive!

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to create a positive ripple effect? This week on the How to Thrive podcast, we reflect on our recent How to Thrive Vet event, where speakers inspired audiences with practical insights on resilience, leadership, and positivity.

Claire and Helen discuss the "Doctor of Happiness" Andy Cope, who shared lessons on creating "to-be" lists instead of "to-do" lists, as well as the seven-second hug!

They also recap key takeaways from Dr Paul Horwood’s talk on the future of leadership, including catchphrases like "ethics is not a county outside London" and "don't recruit a team of minions".

And Helen shares insights from her own session on civility in the workplace, and how simple acts of kindness and respect can transform workplace culture, reduce stress, and ultimately improve outcomes.

Test you bias online:

Here's a link to the website Helen mentions during the episode: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From promising ballet dancer, to leading compliance in the banking industry, to executive coach, Jess Harvey has seemingly done it all (apart from horse riding - yet!)

In this episode of the How to Thrive Podcast, Claire and Helen find out more about Jess' incredible career and how she successfully shifted from long days in the city, to coaching talent from all walks of life.

They discuss trusting your inner compass, why training isn't always the answer, and being human. We also hear Jess' three top tips on how to thrive.

Find out more about the work Jess does on her website and the incredible Female Mentoring Alliance.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When it comes to nutrition advice, there's so much information (and mis-information) out there that it's easy to become overwhelmed. That's where today's podcast guest comes in.

James Collier is the Co-Founder of Huel and now an author, with his new book "Well Fed: How modern diets are failing us and what we can do about it".

In this episode of the How to Thrive Podcast, Claire and Helen talk to James about how to separate nutrition fact from fiction, the importance of critical thinking and why eating with others is beneficial in some surprising ways.

We also find out James' three top tips for thriving as we start the new year with a bang.

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Kindness is about leaving everyone and everything better'.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, Claire and Helen talk to Magnus Wood about the role kidness can play in the corporate world. It's not just about being nice to people, in fact, Magnus believes kindness in all its forms can help industries thrive.

So, how do you define kindness? How can it transform corporate environments? And can it really help boost the bottom line?

Magnus also introduces us a to a new word 'numinous' - and catches Claire and Helen slightly off-guard with one of the most left field moments we've seen on the podcast so far!

Magnus is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Kindness Corporation, find out more about their work on their website.

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I was born and raised in a cult. I talk about how cults are like corporates, a lot."

Petra Velzeboer is this week's guest on the How to Thrive podcast and we think we can safely say she has one of the most interesting life journeys we've ever come across. Born and raised in the Children of God cult, she grew up in an unconventional setting, before falling pregnant and deciding to leave.

But that wasn't the end of her story, she has battled addiction, loneliness, had to adjust to a whole new way of living, and is now a hugely successful CEO, keynote speaker, and author.

So how do you thrive in a new world? Claire, Helen and Petra discuss bravery (it "feels like fear"), accepting that "no one is coming to save you", and why many corporates are just like cults.

Find out more about Petra's work on her website. Her new book Digital Wellbeing is out now! Order here

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting out on your own can feel daunting, even if it's within a profession you're already well-established in.

It can, of course be incredibly exciting and liberating, but there will be challenges too, and often it's the unknown elements that feel the most daunting.

In this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, we talk to Robyn Sandilands about some of those challenges, and how you can best prepare yourself to overcome them.

Robyn doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk, having founded the legal consultancy business Sandilands Legal in 2023.

We discuss the strength in saying "I don't understand", why career progression absolutely does not end at 45, and why kindness is the key to good leadership.

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To mark International Women's Day (March 8th) Claire and Helen sat down for a chat with Amy Martin to talk about a subject that rarely gets a mention in the workplace - menstrual cycles.

As Amy puts it: “We want to move away from the narrative that women are ‘funny’ around their period, but for many of us it’s true. Yet we’re ignoring it in the workplace.”

Amy is on a mission to get us all (men included) talking about how someone's menstrual cycle can affect them at different times, and how businesses are failing to get the best from their teams by ignoring the natural fluctuations people experience in mood and energy.

She talks powerfully about her own struggles with burnout and the power she has gained from getting to know her own menstrual cycle.

Amy is a qualified veterinary nurse, as well as a coach and mentor. You can find her at Ark Referrals, The Point of Care Foundation, and Magnolia Coaching.

Amy's book recommendations mentioned in the episode:

Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer

Uma Dinsmore-Tuli's Yoni Shakti

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Empathy is the number one most important skill to be able to thrive professionally and personally."

We're absolutely delighted to have Ed Kirwan on the podcast this week, a former teacher turned filmmaker who is on a mission to make all of us see the tangible benefits of being more empathetic.

Ed is the CEO of Empathy Studios, an education and creative studio using the power of film and storytelling to develop the skill of empathy in all. He is also the Founder of Empathy Week, an annual festival that helps develop the skill of empathy in students aged 5-18.

So, why is empathy so important in life and in the workplace? How do we go about being more empathic? And how does all of this help us and the businesses we own or work in thrive?

Find out more about Ed:

Ed Kirwan

Empathy Studios

Empathy Week

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I ignored the warning signs and paid the price, I went into my head and almost never came out."

That powerful statement from Dan Stanley sets the tone for this episode of the How to Thrive podcast, which aims to shine a light on men's mental wellbeing.

Dan says, despite having built himself a life of material success, he came to the realisation that his success was superficial and says his experience nearly cost him his marriage, his sanity and his life.

He shares his personal journey of awakening to the superficiality of traditional masculinity, discusses the historical context of masculinity, the challenges modern men face, and the importance of peer support and community.

Through his experiences, Dan emphasises the need for men to engage in honest conversations, prioritise self-awareness, and redefine their understanding of masculinity.

He also reveals his top tips on how to thrive.

Dan is the Founder of BetterMen: https://www.better-men.uk/

He has published a book called "Rethinking Masculinity" which you can get a copy of from his website: https://www.better-men.uk/rethinking-masculinity-book

With thanks to our sponsors Flank, an AI colleague for your in-house legal team. Flank is designed to work like a high performing team member for your legal department. Flank agents are able to instantly handle commercial team requests, eliminate bottlenecks and ensure your legal team operates at the speed your business demands. Flank agents are always on, always accurate and always ready. 

If you'd like to discover more about how Flank can redefine your legal operations, then take a look at getflank.ai. If you get in touch with them, please do mention How to Thrive, so that they know that it came from one of our wonderful listeners.

How to Thrive events:

Our events are a chance to come together with other Community Members to network and share learnings in a safe space. All of our events are focussed on HOW to thrive and deliver practical skills that you can incorporate into your work and home lives.

​Visit our website to find out more.

Your How to Thrive hosts:

Claire Sanders, former Corporate Lawyer, General Council and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Helen Silver-MacMahon, Human Factors Specialist, Veterinary Nurse and Co-Founder of Being Human Consulting.

Music Credit: Lo-Fi Hip Hop (Never Old Fashioned) by Alex Kizenkov

Podcast Production: Anthony Zahra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.