The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast (Chris O’Connell)

I fired Verity Foss in 2014 from my business Timothy James. Since then, Verity Co-Founded Oowee, a vegan fast-food chain which she has grown to 8 sites, 2 delivery kitchens, 6 bricks and mortar restaurants in Manchester, Brighton, London and Bristol with over 130 staff with revenues in excess of £8m per year.  But Verity is so much more than a business owner, she's an incredible business leader. Her goals are centralised around her employees - something that is unheard of in the foodservice industry. And that is why I wanted to speak to her today. To learn about her authentic, vulnerable and positive leadership.  And I think in this podcast, she delivers.  Find Oowee here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oowee-vegan/  Find Verity here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verity-foss-807969187/ 

I was nervous about launching this podcast because despite my confidence in business public speaking makes me incredibly clammy. Even worse, if I'm speaking online - it can be seen and judged by everyone.  But after 24 episodes and some incredible guests, The Purpose-Led leadership podcast is one of the best things I've ever done. I've learned so much from guests like: - Andrew Sillitoe, High-Performance Coach. - Sean Anderson, CEO Hoxo Media.  - Amelia Sordell, Founder at Klowt. - Kate McCarthy-Booth, Founder at McCarthy Recruitment... That it seemed silly not to come back for season 2. And this season is going to be my best yet - I hope you enjoy listening to these conversations with these incredible leaders as much as I enjoyed having them. 

It is time to redress the imbalance of opportunity afforded to those labelled; ‘care leaver’, ‘disabled’, ‘gang member’, ‘black’, ‘uneducated’, ‘inexperienced’, ‘homeless’, ‘criminal’, or generally, just ‘not ‘good enough’... and that is what Emma Freivogel is doing with Radical Recruit.  Radical Recruit is the only not-for-profit recruitment agency in the UK and what Emma is doing in calling out businesses who talk a big game when it comes to their commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity but whose policies fail to translate into practice is incredible.  Emma is engaging, challenging - real. And I'll know you take as much value from this conversation as I did.  Find Radical Recruit here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmafreivogel/  Find Emma here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/radical-recruit/

Russell Clements was the 2nd ever employee of the billion-pound business, SThree, when the business started in 1986.  When he left in 2012, he was CEO.  Russell believes that nice guys finish first. That a leaders' job is to inspire their people, not instil fear. To support, guide and nurture their employees - not tell them what to do. Russell was my boss when I was at SThree, and it's unsurprising that so many who worked under him have gone on start and scale successful businesses. We all learned from the best. 

James Reed is Chairman of Reed, the recruitment specialist which employs over 5000 staff with annual revenues in excess of £1bn.  Reed receives more than 40 million job applications a year and has delivered over 100 programmes helping more than 150,000 people who had been long-term unemployed back into work. The company’s purpose is ‘Improving lives through work’.  He is also the author of numerous best selling books and happens to be one of the most humble, charismatic, generous and purpose-led leaders I’ve had the pleasure to meet.

Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu. Premier League Footballer. Welsh International. And someone who has suffered with crippling and chronic inflammation and pain for much of his life.  You'd be forgiven for plastering the traditional 'footballer' stereotype on Thomas, but he is anything but typical. After suffering for years which chronic inflammation, Thomas and his father decided to take matters into their own hands after modern medicine failed to cure Thomas of his ongoing pain. Fast forward to today, and their homemade tumeric shot is now fuelling sportspeople and professional footballers, globally and has become a full-blown business.  Thomas' approach to life and business is unique. And I hope in listening to him talking about finding his purpose that you can help find yours too.  Find Thomas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-hal-robson-kanu-5b8786113/

Joel Lalgee is probably most famous for his biting statements and sarcastic tweets that can only relate to recruiters. But he is so much more than the 100k followers he has on LinkedIn.  In this podcast, we talk about his journey, his work and his following and how all have allowed him to build a life - and career he loves.  Joel is a bundle of energy, and I know that will translate as well as it did in person as it will to you listening. Find Joel Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebestrecruiter2/

Adam Posner. Host of The Pozcast, a 200-strong episode podcast series and founder of Probably Nothing Talent. In the early years of his career, Adam was flying. Working for brands like American Express - Adam was soon hired by the infamous Gary Vee. And fired shortly after. But it's the story that Adam has written for himself since then that has really made him a purpose-led leader. In this conversation, we talk about turning rejection into redirection and finding your feet after failure. I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. Find Adam here: https://www.linkedin.com/adamjposner/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Martin Pemberton. Footballer. Mentor and creator of the Men -ally Fit Programme. In this podcast, we talk about Martin's career in football - the rejection and redirection he found throughout his career and the lack of mental health support for men.  Martin's mission to get men talking is one that I wholeheartedly stand by and I think after listening to this podcast, it will be one you get behind too.  Find Martin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-pemberton-856b0812b/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ 

When Eloise started her career in recruitment in 2006, I don't think even she could have imagined what the industry and her life had in store for her. Fast forward 16 years later, and Eloise heads up Vincere, the recruitment operating system loved by over 25,000 recruiters.  But Eloise isn't just a business owner; she's also a mum. And the things she has been through as a mum and in her personal life are just as inspiring as what she's achieved professionally. Find Eloise here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloisefromvincere/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

When Mitch started out in recruitment 30 years ago, he did the normal contingency consultant thing. He quickly realised there was a better way of doing things - After a move to Geneva, Mitch set up a different kind of search agency. One that used innovative recruitment communications as it's primary source of recruiting - something that proved very popular with the people they were trying to recruit! The agency combined hard-nosed commercial consultancy with creative recruitment marketing and led Mitch to where he is today.  If you've not come across Mitch on LinkedIn, I highly recommend you give him a follow. He'll teach you a thing or two about your copy to candidates and clients, but his sarcastic and satirical take on the industry will make you howl!  Find Mitch here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchsullivan/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

This week's episode isn't my usual episode because this week, my podcast guest is me. I've posted a lot of snippets about my rise and fall as a multi-million-pound recruitment business owner - and the journey I've taken to rediscover myself, but I never really told the story from the start. I believe a huge part of being a purpose-led leader is having the strength to be vulnerable, so here is me - being vulnerable and telling my story.  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

This wasn't a conversation I was expecting to have with Hung Lee. Hung is someone most people know in recruitment. Founder of Recruitment Brainfood and Workshape - a talent matching service for Startups... So naturally, I expected to spend 100% of this conversation discussing the industry.  But what we started off with is Hung's accident and how that one moment in his life shaped everything. This was an incredibly raw, insightful and honest conversation. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed having it.  Find Hung here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunglee/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

Elise Michaels helps men find purpose and passion by healing subconscious trauma. But she does this great work through experiencing trauma of her own. Elise is a friend, a coach of mine - and today, my podcast guest. We talk about her overcoming a childhood with two parents in and out of jail, bouts with bankruptcy and how she's healed the childhood version of herself by helping others heal too. Elise is a force and having this conversation was an honour.  Find Elise here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-micheals/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

I met Laura-Jane at a party in Manchester and since meeting I've been fascinated with her work in relationships, intimacy and childhood trauma. Laura-Jane helps unhappy women in unhappy relationships find their happiness - and themselves again. But we talk about so much more than relationships on this episode of The Purpose Led Leadership Podcast. Laura-Jane Hand: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajanehand/ Vincere: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Andy Morrell is the CEO of Oscar Technology, a 200-person, £45 million revenue recruitment business headquartered in Manchester. Andy joined the business nearly 15 years ago to - in his words "turn it around and get out of there". Over a decade later, he's helped grow the business to be a  Sunday Times #1 Ranked Recruitment Co to work for 3 years in a row and record-breaking revenues.  Andy is the epitome of purpose-led leadership and it was a pleasure to dive into his story and leadership style on The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast. 

This episode is special for me. Not just because my guest, Warren Ryan, is a special guy - but because it's two men having a real, honest, vulnerable - and emotional conversation and sharing it with the world. Two men who have been raised to "man up" and take life on the chin, proving that you can be masculine and still be open with how you're feeling.  Warren is an incredible man. From growing up in what he describes as a "broken home", care, depression, grief - sleeping in his care, to where he is today. A happy, healthy and secure human being. This episode is special because of the impact it's had on me. I hope it has the same impact on you listening.  Find Warren here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warreninspireryan/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

"How can I scale my recruitment business?", "How do I exit my business?" - Two of the most-asked questions I get as a NED.  I started my recruitment career at SThree and it wasn't long before I was the Top Biller, globally and getting itchy feet to do something on my own.  Fast forward to 2003 and I co-founded Timothy James Consulting and over the course of 10 years scaled the business to, £25 million in revenue - £1.8 million in EBITA  and eventually exited in 2014. In this podcast, I walk through HOW we did that and what steps I now advise my clients to take when scaling and preparing for an exit.  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

Loren Greiff is the Founder of PortfolioRocket. Launched in the shadow of the global pandemic, Loren and her business help people get hired 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆. And 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒖𝒑.

And on the face of it, what Loren does is uplift others, empower them to be their best selves and find careers they love. But the wisdom to do so hasn't come without her own personal challenges, adversities and heartbreaks. This conversation was so uplifting and inspiring to have, I hope you feel the same way listening to it.  Find Loren here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorengreiff/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Kelly Tucker is the MD and founder of HR Star - An HR consultancy on a mission to reinvent HR's lame reputation. I think it's fair to say that HR has got one... a lame reputation that is. It's often seen as the Employer-owned bulldog that gets brought in only when the proverbial hits the fan. But Kelly doesn't see HR that way - she believes that HR is there to support the very thing they're designed to, human beings.  In this podcast we talk about why it's so important for businesses to have strong values - not just ones that are written on a wall, the challenges that every business has with hiring and retention and how building a business can impact your relationships - including your marriage. Kelly is practical, up front and no bullshit - and this podcast is nothing less.  Find Kelly here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-tucker-hr/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell  

A lot of companies see HR as just another department or facility within the company's wider scheme. Gulneet Chadha and her company are changing that narrative. They are helping companies see that HR should be at the forefront of the organisation's goals and objectives. Specifically, they help companies see that HR should be at the "Driver's Seat" in any organisation, while still helping companies meet their bottom line and increase productivity.  In this podcast, Gulneet talks at length about putting the human being back into HR and gives us wisdom and lessons that EVERY purpose-led leader needs to talk onboard.  Find Gulneet here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gulneetchadha/  Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

John describes himself as a relentlessly helpful LinkedIn nerd. His goal is to help as many people as possible leverage LinkedIn to drive inbound leads through better content.  And that is how I met John - at another LinkedIn Creator's  (Lea Turner) meet-up. John's attitude of gratitude and giving away a tonne of helpful insights about the platform on LinkedIn has meant he's amassed a huge following - and built a business in doing so. John talks to me about how best to use LinkedIn to drive inbound business and what to avoid at all costs. Find John here: https://uk.linkedin.com › johnespirian Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

It’s the greatest time to be an entrepreneur. There’s more funding, resources, and opportunities than ever before. Most importantly, there are lots of big problems that can be solved with entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. But there are a LOT of people thinking the same thing... so how do you stand out?  

Today's guest is Daniel Priestly, founder of Dent -  a company that develops entrepreneurs who stand out, scale up and make a positive impact, using their personal brand. Being influential in your industry has never been more important and today Daniel talks me through why that is true and what to do about it.  

Find Daniel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpriestley/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

On this week's episode, I am joined by Trauma expert, Rebecca Fox. After growing up with an abusive, narcissistic mother Rebecca found herself falling in and out of relationships with narcissists as an adult. After suffering unbelievable trauma at the hands of the people she was in those relationships with, Rebecca has now dedicated her life to helping people heal and move on from toxic relationships. Find Rebecca here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-fox252/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

I came across Erica whilst scrolling through TikTok. Erica has amassed over 4.4 million likes and over 200k followers, all organically on the platform, whilst simultaneously promoting her brand BroDough. She has built a community around her business by making the brand amusing, entertaining - human.  And now, she consults with other brands to help them achieve the same. In this podcast, Erica talks about what it takes to grow a community - and a business online.  Find Erica here: https://www.tiktok.com/@brodoughcanada?lang=en  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

In this episode of The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast we look back at the very 1st podcast I recorded with Andrew Sillitoe.  Listen to Andrew and I talk about discovering our real purpose once we'd lost it all - and rebuilding a life we love without worrying too much about the money.  Find Andrew here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sillitoe/  Find Vincere here:  https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ 

Elliott Rae is an author, speaker and founder of MusicFootballFatherhood.com (MFF) - the UK's most exciting parenting & lifestyle platform for men.  Elliot founded MFF in 2016 after suffering from PTSD after the traumatic birth of his daughter and the platform, called the 'Dad's version of Mumsnet' by the BBC, is the online community for fathers.  This conversation is honest, and vulnerable and really takes a look at what the challenges of being a modern father - and man really are.  Find Elliot here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-rae-a3a469144/  Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ 

Natalie Costa has worked with over 10,000 children worldwide and has helped families develop a deeper understanding of their children, discovering the habits to feel happier, calmer and more confident in themselves. But this conversation wasn't just about how we can help our children - it was about how we can find confidence and purpose in ourselves too.  This was an incredibly enlightening conversation, and I hope you enjoyed listening to it as much as I enjoyed having it.  Find Natalie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/powerthoughts Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Mark Enlow has over 40 years of business and executive recruitment experience. Having placed over 5,000 people and worked with the likes of Fortune 100's GE, and Honeywell, Mark's business accolades speak before he does.  But that isn't why I've invited Mark on as a guest. His approach to business is one that I am so aligned with - he describes his core values as Faith, Family, Fitness and Finance. Principals that I too can relate to. A true purpose-led leader, Mark's mission in life is to make a positive impact in the world to help those who can’t help themselves.  Find Mark here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markenlow/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ 

Celestia Barby is an entrepreneur, confidence coach, inspirational speaker, host, and author of best-selling books How to find your real soul and become a boss, 365 role model quotes and the life coaching gateway - but her life wasn't always a "success".  From drugs and alcohol, drunk driving bans and stealing from friends and family - Celestia sat down with me to talk me through her tough journey to finding her purpose and shared some incredible lessons that we can all take something from. Find Celestia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestia-barby-4a0930127/  Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

I exited by £25 million recruitment business in 2014 and since then I have been helping other recruitment agency owners scale and sell their businesses. In this episode, I go through some of the strategies I use to help my clients increase their new business by an average of 137%, and increase their fees by an average of 14% and increase their repeat business by repeat business by 73%.   What else would you like to hear from me? Let me know by sending me a DM on LinkedIn! DM me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

In this podcast, I talk to Zee Petula about the importance of a successful mindset. 

I’m sure we can agree in the post-pandemic world, people grossly undervalue the importance of the human connection and how those humans may manage stress, anxiety, and confidence from the other side of a computer screen.   And coming from a person who’s coached so many people into understanding how to manage their stress and THRIVE in their environment, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.  Find Zee here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zee-p-78453b126/ Find Vincere: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

Chris Lomas is an advocate for the weak, a defender of the poor, and a guardian of the oppressed. His work is equally as hopeful as it is heartbreaking. Because he really is out there making a different to those who need it.  Chris is doing all of this through Hope4.  Hope4 is one of the fastest growing not-for-profit organisations in the world, with offices both in the UK and Moldova. When you support Hope4, you are immediately impacting lives tragically effected by hunger, trafficking and war, with every penny raised making a radical difference to men, women and children across Moldova and Ukraine.  Listen more about what Chris and Hope4 do - and how you can help.  Find Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lomas/  Find Vincere: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

Lisa Haggar is a highly influential HR leader, named Linkedin’s Queen of HR and top HR Voice. And in this episode, she takes no prisoners when talking about the current state of HR in 2023. Not to mention the impact a lack of HR (or good HR!) has on your bottom line.  Find Lisa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-haggar-540a68117/ Find Vincere: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

This episode is really close to my heart. Isaac reached out to me after hearing my story on reaching the lowest point of my life.  The conversation that followed blew me away.  No text can do Isaac's story justice, so listen instead! Find Isaac here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacharvey-videoeditor/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

On this week of Purpose-Led Leadership Jane Kisnica talks to me about pretty much...everything! This episode is full of tips on how to help you help yourself.   So rather than trying to condense it down to a short description, if any of the following sounds like a bit of you, take a listen:  Clinical depression Relationships Anxiety Anger Issues Medication Personal Brand Social Anxiety Mental Health Therapy Trust Issues Childhood Trauma Bullying Not having children Love Soloprenuership Super excited for this one - I strongly believe in listening to your mind and your body, and letting that guide you. Find Jane here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-kisnica-graphic-designer/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

Losing someone is never easy; losing someone to suicide brings an entirely different set of challenges. I feel incredibly honoured to have had Paul Mcgregor on the podcast this week, a mental health advocate, and the founder of EveryMindAtWork. We talk about how he turned his grief from losing his Dad to suicide into an impactful mental health organisation helping companies educate and support their employees' mental health. In 2020, Everymind at Work was born. His mission is to help businesses tackle the stigma of mental health at work and provide proactive support to employees. The support his Dad never had. What then started as an idea driven by personal loss, is now a mental wellbeing partner supporting 100s of organisations in their fight against mental health stigma. Suicide is currently the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. I've personally been there. I know many other men who have been there.  And I know that something has to change. I applaud Paul for his vulnerability on this podcast and for sharing so openly about his bereavement journey and the associated challenges of losing someone to suicide. This is an episode you do NOT want to miss. Find Paul here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmcgregorcom/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

In recruitment, you deal with people every.single.day. And yet, for such a people-focused process, it rarely takes into account what 'being a person' means and all of the nuances that come with it. Which is why there is still so much work to do on DE&I in the recruitment space.  Because a person writes up the job description. And it's a person that "shortlists" the lucky 10 people.  And it's another person who is the person between the interviewee person and the person who's actually hiring.  And then that person has to work (and hopefully enjoy) that job they've just fought other people for - in an office full of other people. Basically, there's a lot of people involved.  And so it only makes sense that we're as openminded and accepting as humanly possible. Thanks Jo for an amazing episode.  Find Jo here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomajordiversityinrecruitment/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

You can choose to be a victim. Or you can choose to remind yourself that something good can always come out of something sh*t, even if it takes a little while to reveal itself. I have learned far more from my dark times than from my successes. I really enjoyed this candid and empowering chat with @Geraldine Spurway - A High-Level Business Mentor, HypnoBreathwork® Facilitator and a Reiki Master. She's a Success Catalyst for Soulful Leaders and High–Performers ready to have it all. I'm so excited for you to listen to this episode - let me know your favourite moment from this week's episode on my socials! Find Geraldine here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gespurway/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/

It's easy to say you have a 'good culture' when everyone comes from the same background. Or when everyone agrees all the time. The TRUE test of a 'good culture' is when you can have multiple viewpoints, backgrounds, and personalities, and everyone STILL feels welcome. I really enjoyed this conversation with Lee Chambers - a British psychologist, coach, and entrepreneur on everything culture. He shares some invaluable wisdom that I know every business owner will benefit from listening to and applying to create a workplace people *actually* enjoy without having to all be the same person. Hope you enjoy it! Find Lee here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leechambers-1/ Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ Find My People here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mypeople-group/

Sally Wynter went from graduating with a Film and English Literature degree, to a 7-figure-exit from her CBD infused gin business. In this episode, Sally shares how she developed the idea of combining CBD with Gin, the struggles she faced as a young entrepreneur, being on a shoe-string budget and how she's dealt with becoming a millionaire in her mid-20s.  I really enjoyed recording this episode with Sally, so I hope you enjoy listening to it. You can find Sally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-wynter/.  Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ Find My People here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mypeople-group/   

Baiju Solanki is a performance psychologist, mentor, author and TEDx speaker for high-performing individuals and teams.  In this episode, Baiju discusses how a single book on body language changed his entire life, focussing on himself after his divorce, mental health struggles and more! This was such an insightful episode to record, so I hope you enjoy listening to it.. You can find Baiju here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baijusolanki-performance-psychologist/  Find Vincere here: https://vincere.io/chrisoconnell/ Find My People here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mypeople-group/  

One our first episode, we're joined by business psychologist, performance coach, public speaker and author Andrew Silitoe. A husband, father and former international athlete and coach, Andrew has overcome immense trauma and adversity and now helps business owners and executives across the planet become more confident in their business, body and relationships.

After being Furloughed from work in April 2020, Gary set up Furlearn. A now award-winning, free online learning resource for those Furloughed and out of work due to the global COVID pandemic.  After successfully building Furlearn, Gary rediscovered his purpose and in November 2020 launched his own recruitment agency, Talent Today.  In this episode, Gary talks about his time not in work and how he regained his confidence and purpose to go on and start his own business.  Find Gary here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywills/  Find Furlearn here: https://www.furlearn.com/  Find Talent Today here: https://www.talenttoday.co.uk/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

On this week's episode, I am joined by Ryan McTaggart. A Mindset and Health Coach who helps high-achieving individuals to realise their inner peace, change their mindset - and lives for the better. Find Ryan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themindsetmedic/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

On this weeks' episode, I am joined by Nick Raeburn, founder and creator at Vireal Media - A content media agency dedicated to creating exceptional video content. Nick talks about his struggles with his own Mental Health and discovering his why.  Find Nick here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatvideonerd/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

On this weeks episode, I sat down with Paul Brown, founder of Baked Bean Media.  From leaving school at 16, working as a chef then co-founding a recruitment business and growing it to 100 heads, Paul talks candidly about the wins and failures of scaling your business - and your life. 

Find Paul - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbrownbakedbeanmedia/ Find Vincere - https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

 

On this week's episode, I sat down with Rebecca Locke. Former high-performance athlete turned coach, turned recruiter. Rebecca has been on both sides of performance and has dedicated her life to helping others achieve their potential.  Find Rebecca here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/purposeaftersport/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

This week I am joined by Cheryl Thompson, a high-impact leader and coach. Cheryl’s story is a little different - From significant, physical and psychological bullying to finding her own courage and helping others find theirs. Cheryl says, “The bigger the trauma, the bigger the triumph.”

This is a special episode. Enjoy! 

Find Cheryl here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylthompsoncoaching/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

In this week's episode, I sat down with entrepreneur and personal branding expert Amelia Sordell to discuss her journey from a failed startup at 21 to founding her business Klowt in the middle of a pandemic and scaling it from 0 - 5 people in just 9 months.  Amelia is open, vulnerable and shares some of her failures, losses, challenges and wins along the way.  Find Amelia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliasordell/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Lea Turner. You'd be hard-pressed to find a single corner of LinkedIn where they don't know who she is. Lea has gone from just 400 followers to over 85,000 in less than two years and, as a result, has pivoted her career - and redefined her purpose... But that's not the most exciting part of this podcast episode. This podcast episode lifts the lid on who Lea is and the journey she has been on to get there. Enjoy! Find Lea here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-turner/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Kate McCarthy-Booth is an exceptional guest to me. A friend, a leader - Someone who I admire intensely. But we don't often get to see the vulnerable side to Kate. The side that reveals the childhood trauma and the bumpy road she's taken to found and scale an industry-leading recruitment business. This episode is remarkable - I hope you think so too.

Find Kate here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/operationsandmanagementconsultant/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

In this week's episode, I sat down with Sean Anderson. If you're a recruiter working in the UK, you will have come across Sean. Marketing agency owner, personal branding coach - Sean is a force in the recruitment, but there is a side to him that people don't see. The real, honest, vulnerable side. And that is the side I was honoured to explore in this episode. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I did having it.  Find Sean here: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sean-anderson-hoxo  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Jo Major is a diversity, inclusion and equity specialist. A trainer, an advisor but most importantly, an ally. She believes that everybody has a right to a fulfilling and successful career and has taken that vision and turned it into a business, helping recruitment agencies become more inclusive both for their businesses and for their clients. Jo is a force, and I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.  Find Jo here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jomajordiversityinrecruitment/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Niraj Kapur. Sales expert, LinkedIn Guru and this week's guest on The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast. Growing up the son of Indian immigrant parents in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, Niraj's life was never going to be linear. And the 52 minutes I spent discussing his story wasn't nearly long enough.  From finding, losing and finding love again to rediscovering his spirituality and learning how to earn his way to success, Niraj is an inspiration. I hope you agree too.  Find Niraj here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkapur/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Rob Stephenson. TEDx speaker, mental health campaigner and founder of FormScore - The real-time wellbeing analytics app that allows businesses to track and measure their employee's wellbeing. But Rob isn't just a campaigner; he's someone who experienced the depths of what negative mental health can do to your life. From being diagnosed with Bipolar in his twenties to attempting to take his own life, in this week's episode, Rob takes us along his journey to discovering his purpose and gives tips and advice to help leaders and the like do it for themselves.  Find Rob here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robstephenson/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

Dom Joyce is the Global Talent Acquisition Manager at billion-dollar unicorn Klarna. But he's also a career coach, CV writer and LinkedIn influencer.  On today's episode, Dom talks me through his journey; how he become a career coach and the turbulence in his own childhood that he now believes gave him all the tools to succeed as an adult. Enjoy! Find Dom here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-joyce/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

How does a working-class lad from Preston, end up sitting down at Kensington Palace with the future king of this country? By being himself. 

Jordan Wilson was featured in the documentary Prince William, Football and Our Mental Health. But the documentary only scratched the surface. 

Jordan is a 28-year-old, CEO, entrepreneur and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 finalist. And in my opinion, a role model to anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t fit in. 

In our chat, we spoke about Jordan’s upbringing, his business and why he believes we need to embrace our poor mental health.  Find Jordan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdnwils/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

Ami Rees is the Director of Elite Force Safety. A training and consultancy business, delivered by military personnel. Ami's approach to her business, leadership and life stems from her belief that good things come from action - not talk (or job titles). In this week's episode, Ami talks about growing up in a single-person household, what it's taught her about life and how she's grown from a timid, introverted child to a successful business owner. Enjoy!    Find Ami here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ami-rees-31343214b/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Craig Brookes -  Craig Brookes isn't everyone's cup of tea. And that is just the way he likes it. Craig's stratospheric rise to an influencer on LinkedIn has come off the back of his no BS approach to all things life and business... and sharing those thoughts on the platform.  Craig has proven that you don't need to be preachy, or corporate - or even talk only about business to build a personal brand on LinkedIn - you just have to have the confidence to be yourself. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.  Find Craig here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-brookes-24176310b/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Mike Mcgann. Founder. Content Creator. And the latest person to be permanently banned from LinkedIn. If you're a regular on the platform there is a good chance you've come across Mike. His sarcastic, tongue in cheek content is both funny and accurate. But his permanently ban has highlighted serious issues around the platforms policing and also raises questions around how - and where companies and people should be marketing their businesses online. Our conversation was epic, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did recording it.  Find IAMProductions here: https://iamproductions.studio/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Andrew MacAskill is a career coach, LinkedIn change-maker and a previously redundant man on a mission to help end job search misery.  Andrew's helped thousands of people through his weekly LinkedIn live's and online coaching platform, Executive Career Jump confidently become the CEOs of their own careers and create the life - and careers they deserve.  Find Andrew here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jobsearchcoach/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

Growing up in an Indian family in Australia, education and career aspirations were everything. So Niti studied hard, worked hard and it paid off. Soon she found herself working in the major law firms in Australia and London, but quickly found her calling was far beyond just the legal profession. A huge advocate for mental health and gender equality, in this week's episode Niti goes deep into what it was like growing up and why vulnerability is so important when leading a team. Enjoy! Find Niti Nadarajah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niti-nadarajah/ Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

Ginnette is the Founder and CEO of Harper & Gray, an executive search business. But Ginnette isn't just any recruiter. She's built a business that is based on ensuring there is diverse representation in all candidate shortlists and provides consulting and advisory to businesses to ensure that their hiring is diverse, but their culture is inclusive.  Ginnette is a wealth of knowledge and her own journey is an incredibly inspiring one. And in the second-to-last Purpose Led Leadership Podcast for this season, I hope you learn as much listening to this conversation as I did having it! Find Ginnette here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnetteharvey/  Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell 

Imagine living a secret life you were too embarrassed to share with your friends and family.

 

That shame is what my guest, Maya Raichoora, lived with throughout her teenage years. After being diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis she opened up to the world about what she was going through.

 

In her own words it has made her who she is today. But it doesn't define her.

 

In this episode she shares what life is like living with a chronic illness, as well as her self-love journey that enabled her to start her own business supporting global brands improve their mental fitness.

 

“I was living a secret life, because I just felt so ashamed of what was happening” – Maya Raichoora

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:54 – An introduction to Maya

03:14 – Maya on living with a chronic illness

09:37 – Losing her sense of femininity

16:13 – The importance of embracing negative emotions

22:08 – Maya’s self-love journey

26:39 – Being at peace with letting go

30:04 – The importance of being yourself

35:24 – The power of visualization for mental fitness

41:00 – Maya on purpose and passion

46:03 – Maya’s struggles with anxiety

49:21 - Embracing your feminine and masculine

 

Maya’ resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-raichoora/

Website - https://mayaraichoora.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maya.mental.fitness/?hl=en-gb

 

Watch Maya’s TED Talk - https://youtu.be/ZY8ucO8pe58?si=xr7wj-1t6f9yckiM

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

X - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

3 generations of recruiters come together and delve into what it takes to be successful in the recruitment industry.

 

In this episode I am joined by Harry Portch, one of the UK’s youngest recruitment agency owners and Dominic Joyce with over 10 years experience working in recruitment, talent acquisition across agency, RPO and in-house.

 

We get into the nitty gritty of what recruitment consultants get wrong, right and everything in between. From building the right culture in the modern recruitment industry to our views on LinkedIn and personal branding.

 

This is a must listen for recruiters at any stage of their careers.

 

“What if it’s a lot bigger than you could ever imagine? Go for it” – Harry Portch

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 – Start

01:06 - An introduction to Harry's life since school  

06:01 - How Harry secures well known clients

09:34 - What makes a successful recruitment consultant?

16:11 - How Harry will cope with leadership

19:56 - What's annoying about recruitment consultants?

26:17 - What should recruitment consultants be doing?

34:57 - Funny recruitment stories

38:08 - How to create the right culture?

42:27 - Thoughts on the LinkedIn Landscape

50:06 - Using personal branding agencies

56:21 - Men's health and wellbeing

 

Dominic’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-joyce/

 

Harry’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harryportch/

HM Staffing - https://hmstaffing.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hmstaffing/

HM Staffing LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/hmstaffing/

Listen to Harry’s Podcast The Spike - https://podcasts.apple.com/bh/podcast/the-spike-podcast/id1555127158

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

One life event can change everything for better or worse.

 

It took my guest, Rob Sharp, 18 years to begin to face being sexually assaulted. In that time he turned to drugs, which took over his life. The relationships with his family broke down and have never recovered.

 

This is a story of pain but also of owning your life choices and facing your past.

 

You’ll hear Rob share the hardest of things from his childhood through to the present day. How climbing Kilimanjaro became more that just getting to the top of a mountain and what positives Rob has taken from everything that has happened to him.

 

This is an incredible episode and as a warning it does contain references to suicide and sexual assault.

 

“The longer, the deeper, the darker it got, it was killing my head” – Rob Sharp

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 - Start

01:49 - Rob's journey since school

02:58 - Violence in Rob's childhood

06:59 - How has Rob's childhood affected his life

10:00 - Rob's life changed after being sexually assaulted     

14:16 - What's the point in me being in the world?

21:00 - Why Rob chose to make amends                              

25:56 - How Rob felt when family knew about the assault

29:31 - Rob on using drugs as a coping mechanism

35:49 - What was the turning point for Rob

42:05 - The positives that have come out of the horror

45:20 - What can makes things more difficult for a man?

47:21 - What Kilimanjaro meant to Rob

51:34 - What role has Amy played in Rob's life?

56:53 - How does Rob feel about his family?

03:29 - What makes Rob's business different?

 

Rob’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-sharp-a9530142/

Orca Pay Group - https://orcapaygroup.co.uk/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

On this week's episode, I am joined by Trauma expert, Rebecca Fox. After growing up with an abusive, narcissistic mother Rebecca found herself falling in and out of relationships with narcissists as an adult. After suffering unbelievable trauma at the hands of the people she was in those relationships with, Rebecca has now dedicated her life to helping people heal and move on from toxic relationships.

 

00:49 - An introduction to Rebecca

01:57 - Rebecca's journey with narcissism

07:12 - Did being strangled change Rebecca?

10:53 - Did her upbringing have a bigger impact on her?

14:41 - Is narcissism deliberate or a disease?

17:34 - Rebecca's journey from school to now

23:36 - Can adversity become a gift?

28:32 - Is there a cure for narcissism?

31:06 - The effect of losing 2 loved ones

37:44 - Rebecca's life's effect on her relationships

45:42 - Respect in relationships

48:35 - Rebecca's challenges with her mental health

57:01 - Life after narcissistic relationships

59:13 - What is gaslighting?

 

Rebecca's Resources

 

Find Rebecca here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-fox252/ 

 

My resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/ 

 

 

Do you suffer from imposter syndrome?

 

That feeling that you are not good enough.

 

To overcome it requires self-reflection and self-acceptance. But it is possible, especially with the help of my guest in this episode, Sarah Farmer.

 

Sarah helps those with reduced self-confidence and self-belief stop sabotaging their success and unleashing their potential. But she has also had to overcome her own challenges in life, such as dealing with her anger, living with ADHD, and the effects of being seen as different growing up.

 

She also shares the difficult times she has faced both as a daughter and as a mother. Revealing a very current and raw situation her family have been faced with.

 

Sarah vows she will never use her personal circumstances as a reason to give up. And it shows through everything she shares.

 

“Trust yourself and don’t worry so much” – Sarah Farmer

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:58 - An introduction to Sarah

02:03 - Sarah's experience with imposter syndrome

12:05 - The Covid effect

16:20 - What pisses Sarah off?

17:56 - Has Sarah shown anger in her life?

22:20 - Dealing with your shit

26:37 - Sarah on her relationship with her kids

29:52 - Sarah's journey since school

33:47 - How has ADHD affected Sarah's life?

36:48 - Sarah on mental health

39:00 - Sometimes you just have bad days

42:24 - Sarah's work with her clients

45:58 - The impact ADHD has had on Sarah's life

54:13 - What has scared and scarred Sarah the

 

Sarah’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-farmer-coach/

EMR Consulting - https://www.emr-consulting.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahfarmerexeccoach/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SarahEMRConsultingLtd

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDNbtDenSbAs-DjwhZNexlw/featured

 

Have I got imposter syndrome? https://impostersyndromelevel.scoreapp.com/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Is your sales approach costing you deals? Are you too soft on prospects when you should be closing?

In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Dennehy—dubbed the UK’s Most Hated Salesperson—to strip away the fluff and expose what truly works in sales and recruitment. Love him or hate him, Benjamin’s approach is bold, direct, and brutally effective.

We dive into Benjamin’s past and how he became the character he is today. He shares incredible insights into what to say in sales meetings, how to close, and strip away those prospects that aren’t right for you.

His magic trick is getting the room when people don’t even know his name or what he does - and selling.

If you’re in sales, recruitment, or business development, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about selling.

Ready for a sales reality check? Tune in now!

 

“I don't think you should be yourself in sales.” – Benjamin Dennehy

 

You'll hear about:

 

✅ The psychology behind closing deals—why most people get it wrong ✅ Cold calling secrets that actually work (if you have the guts to use them) ✅ The art of questioning—how to control the conversation and qualify leads fast ✅ Recruitment sales tactics that separate amateurs from the pros ✅ Why personal branding and LinkedIn are game-changers in today’s market

 

Benjamin’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamindennehy/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/UKsMostHatedSalesTrainer

UK’s most hated sales trainer - https://www.uksmosthatedsalestrainer.com/

Sales Matrix Courses - https://www.salesmatrixcourses.com/free/10-reasons-prospecting-course

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

 

Pre-order my new book - https://access.basemindset.com/pre-order

Having a purpose in life is more than knowing what your destination is. It’s about being present and enjoying the journey as you evolve throughout your life. Achieving this mindset is what can break you free of the clichéd idea of purpose.

 

That is exactly what my guest in this episode, Izzy Prior, has achieved. She is the founder of Spark, an agency that builds purpose-led reputations for social impact founders through engaging, authentic content.

 

Izzy talks about her belief of what purpose is and how she focuses on purpose over profit. She also goes into her own personal journey of regrets in relation to posting about her burnout on LinkedIn, how fear has helped her in her life and how difficult relationships from her past have influenced her future.

 

“Your purpose is always evolving” – Izzy Prior

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 – Start

00:45 - An Introduction to Izzy

01:36 - Izzy view of what purpose is

06:21 - Keeping the enjoyment on LinkedIn

11:00 - Purpose over profit

12:17 - Social media vs reality

16:13 - Izzy's regret on posting about burnout                                             

19:18 - The stigma around personal branding

25:09 - Izzy's journey including the dark times

28:37 - How a lack of a father figure affected Izzy

34:18 - Has fear ever helped Izzy in her life?

36:07 - Have previous traumas effected her relationships?

43:16 - When did Izzy's purpose become important?

47:14 - What does Izzy's future look like?                                         

55:37 - Izzy's tips to aspiring entrepreneurs

 

Izzy’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzyprior/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/izprior/?hl=en-gb

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Construction is a man’s game, right?.....Wrong

 

There are still industries that have preconceptions about whether men or women are best suited to work in them. And construction is one of them.

 

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

 

My guest in this episode is Kelly Cartwright, the company owner of Core Recruiter, showing the world that women can not only work in construction but be award winning leaders.

 

Kelly shares her experiences as a woman in the industry and the challenges she has faced. She talks about what purpose is to her, and the importance of showing vulnerability. She also tells all about the dress the dress that got her so much recognition but also feeling sof overwhelm as a result.

 

“Just because I am female doesn’t mean I’m at a disadvantage” – Kelly Cartwright

 

You'll hear about:

 

01:01 - An introduction to Kelly

01:39 - Kelly on her awards & that dress

04:19 - Why Kelly does what she does

08:39 - Kelly's journey since school

14:34 - Kelly's thoughts on social media

20:44 - Has Kelly changed as her business has grown?

26:42 - Has Kelly had harsh lessons along the way?

31:23 - What does the future hold for Kelly?

35:46 - Is there a place for showing vulnerability?

44:58 - Kelly on purpose

51:37 - Kelly's advice on understanding what's important                           

 

Kelly’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-cartwright-%F0%9F%A6%BA-8542202b/

Core Recruiter - https://www.corerecruiter.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kellycartwright_/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

You have the power to create your own story.

 

No matter what anyone else says or believes, you can achieve the life you want.

 

My guest in this episode, Meena Adnani, grew up in Indonesia and always knew she needed to break from the traditional role women played in her life experience.

 

Little did she know that this journey would take her to professional and financial success only to lose it all. Despite that loss, which she shares all about, she went on to build back to a 7-figure business.

 

Meena talks about how she managed to achieve this and why her resilience and mindset were her greatest assets in being able to do so.

 

“I’ll never allow anyone to tell me what’s not possible” – Meena Adnani

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:43 - An introduction to Meena

02:04 - Meena's journey since school

08:42 - Meena on losing her wealth

12:35 - Being able to prove people wrong

20:27 - How her parental relationships built her resilience

29:31 - You have to believe anything is possible

34:05 - How Meena reached 7-figures

39:29 - People buy from people

45:18 - What Meena is doing for her personal growth

53:49 - Healing is ongoing

 

Meena’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meena-kumari-adnani/

The Empowered Woman Academy - https://www.strongandshine.com/empowered-woman-academy-2024

Strong And Shine - https://www.strongandshine.com/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/STRONGANDSHINE

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@meena.adnani

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meenaadnani/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

This episode is my guest appearance on the Across The Table Podcast with Target Recruit.

 

Chris (Base Mindset) is an ex-global top biller at SThree and a £25M Recruitment business owner turned purpose-driven NED and coach.

 

He believes that almost all business problems are people problems. Because people without a purpose have no centralised reason driving them to perform.

 

“Lots of companies want to get back to the old school ways of working,” – Chris O’Connell

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 - Start

03:54 - Adversity, Resilience, and Purpose-Driven Leadership

16:15 - Lessons from Entrepreneurship: Finding Positives in Adversity

31:06 - Purpose, Accountability, and Continuous Growth in Business

32:10 - Coaching CEOs and Building Successful Businesses

53:00 - Evolution of Recruitment Practices and Impact of Culture

55:20 - Future Outlook for the Recruitment Industry

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

 

Check out Target Recruit’s podcast Across The Table - https://targetrecruit.co.uk/podcast/

Being able to life your life on your own terms is something many aspire to but never manage. It can sometimes take losing people close to you to show you that now is the time to take action. Better that than live life in regret.

 

In this episode I am joined by Chris James, who experienced loss that made him realise he needed to take control of his own life by going all in on his own work. Since then he has built a hugely successful business supporting others to do the same through the power of social sales.

 

He talks about his darkest moments, including the people he has lost in recent years, his attitude towards money, vanity metrics on socials and engagement pods. He also shares how meeting his wife changed his life and how that impacted the person and business owner he has become.

 

“It’s the people that stand out that make the difference” – Chris James

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 - Start

00:40 - An introduction to Chris

03:47 - Chris on his darkest times

05:56 - The sales process for people just starting

10:37 - Chris' attitude towards money

12:18 - Your worth is not linked to follower numbers

15:56 - Chris' view on engagement pods

26:38 - What areas of his life does Chris need to look at?

30:00 - Chris journey to meeting his wife

36:55 - Where would Chris be if he hadn't met his wife

39:16 - Chris' family story

50:13 - How Chris processes trauma

52:35 - What is happiness to Chris

 

Chris’ resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjamesonline/

Chris’ website - https://www.chris-james.co/

Content To Clients - https://www.chris-james.co/c2clp

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru_YUpPmYCfuj7lb67y7zw/videos

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/salesguychris/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

What does it take to build and scale a thriving recruitment business?

Emotional intelligence, effective communication and a singular vision all play a key role.

In this episode, I am joined by Alex Elliott, founder of Liquid Personnel, to uncover the key principles that drive high-performing recruitment teams. From hiring standards and team dynamics to navigating the emotional challenges of selling a business, Alex shares his journey and hard-earned insights.

Whether you're a recruitment professional, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Tune in now and take your recruitment game to the next level!

 

“The best culture for me is winning.” – Alex Elliott

 

You'll hear about:

 

• Effective communication is key in recruitment processes.
• Alex’s journey to build, scale and sell Liquid Personnel
• There's so much luck involved in life.
• Hiring standards should focus on competencies, not just numbers.
• The future of the recruitment industry

 

Alex’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexelliott123/

Telent Analytics - https://www.talentanalytics.co.uk/

Phase 6 Advisory - https://www.linkedin.com/company/phase-6-advisory/

 

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

 

Pre-order my new book - https://access.basemindset.com/pre-order

 

A company must consider its values in everything it does, including the first point of contact when hiring new staff. Knowing when you need to add to the cultural dynamic of a team or blend with what you already have is crucial to meet those values. In this episode I talk to Dominic Joyce, Head of Talent Acquisition and Travelex, to find out how to achieve this in your company.

 

He also discusses the good and bad sides of LinkedIn and shares his thoughts on why hiring starts from a company’s values. He goes deep into his own background by sharing his experiences growing up without a father figure and an alcoholic mother, and how this has informed his relationship with his daughter.

 

“I mask my emotions with humour” – Dominic Joyce

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:54 - An introduction to Dominic

01:58 - LinkedIn's good, bad and ugly

07:43 - The best and worst of recruitment

11:56 - Hiring starts from values

16:19 - Dominic's views on the CV

22:17 - Talent acquisition vs recruitment

24:23 - Dominic's journey since school

26:55 - The effect of no father figure on Dominic

31:10 - Dominic's process of dealing with trauma

36:41 - Dominic's relationship with himself                                      

45:17 - What makes a good client?

 

Dominic’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-joyce/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Dom_Talks_Sport

CVUpgrade website - https://cvupgrade.com/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

What does great recruitment look like?

 

Well, this episode with Charlotte Smith is a no holds barred break down of all things recruitment.

 

Charlotte is a Recruitment Director who champions the industry and comes from a family full of recruiters. We talk about why emotional intelligence is a recruiter’s superpower and how to get the culture piece in organisations right.

 

We also go deep into 180 recruitment and why data is king in order become great in this industry.

 

If you want to know what it takes to be a great in this industry this episode is not to be missed.

 

“We find people jobs, we don’t do a terrible thing ” – Charlotte Smith

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:56 - Charlotte's recruitment background

03:45 - Why recruiters should be proud of what they do     

08:10 - Why you need to understand emotional intelligence           

11:22 - How to get the culture piece right?

16:54 - Why specialist is Charlotte's least favourite word

24:56 - The importance of the follow up       

27:33 - How Charlotte measures performance         

31:27 - Is 2024 going to be better than 2023?          

35:03 - What data does Charlotte look at?

43:28 - What does lazy management look like?

45:56 - Charlotte's view on 180 recruitment

49:21 - Why are recruitment companies poor recruiters?

 

 

Charlotte’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deakinsmith/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/all_things_recruitment/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

There are many preconceptions about what it is to be a man in the modern world.

 

A provider, strong, in control of their emotions.

 

But are these traits healthy and what does it mean if you don’t conform to these things?

 

In this episode I am joined by my good friends Tom Paine and Steve Ware. We explore these questions and more about what life is like for a man. We share our own fears and experiences with anxiety, loss of purpose and how we can be more than what the world expects a man to be.

 

This episode is raw and open from all 3 of us, something we need more of from the men in this world.

 

“It’s acknowledging that emotions are ok to feel, but it’s doing something about it. That’s the key.” – Tom Paine

 

You'll hear about:

 

03:18 - Tom's journey since school

06:13 - Do men have it easier?

12:01 - What are the reasons for losing your purpose?

13:29 - What are my values in life?

20:16 - The luxury of feeling your emotions

26:41 - Are younger generations more open?

30:26 - The role partners have in your lives

37:18 - Techniques to deal with anxious thoughts

43:28 - Astral projection

45:29 - What really scares Tom, Steve and Chris

51:23 - The stigma of life coaching

56:43 - Do you feel like you've wasted time in life?

 

Tom’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tompainelifecoaching/

Tom’s website - http://tompainelifecoaching.com/

 

Steve’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-ware-mindfulness/

Steve Ware Mindfulness Website - https://www.stevewaremindfulness.com/

Steve’s mindfulness blog - https://www.stevewaremindfulness.com/blog

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

What is life like with ADHD?

 

It is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and many will judge those who have it before they get to know them, or even understand what it means to have ADHD.

 

In this episode I am joined by Thomas Woodhams, who, as well as having ADHD supports others with the condition through his content on LinkedIn.

 

Thomas is hilarious, honest, and unfiltered about how the condition has impacted his life. From abusive relationships, to getting sacked and hot tub escapades. Expect to hear things from Thomas you wouldn’t hear anywhere else.

 

He also shares what pisses him off about LinkedIn, how workplaces can support neurodivergence more and find why he went to Bristol just to get a photo for his girlfriend’s mum.

 

“It’s like a squirrel going in your brain at 300 miles an hour” – Thomas Woodhams

 

You'll hear about:

 

01:01 - An introduction to Thomas

03:49 - Did ADHD get Thomas intro trouble as a kid?

08:14 - Why Thomas feels the need to impress        

10:36 - What pisses Thomas off on LinkedIn?

12:06 - What is ADHD?

18:01 - Does ADHD make Thomas feel down?

21:58 - How ADHD has affected Thomas' relationships

24:59 - Thomas on suicide

30:13 - Thomas' life and toxic relationships

39:28 - Thomas' experience in recruitment

48:27 – How to improve support for neurodivergence                                             

49:23 - Thomas on his relationship with his fiancée

52:31 - LinkedIn according to Thomas           

57:13 - Thomas' top 3 traits

 

Thomas’ resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-woodhams/

Listen to Thomas’ podcast - Be.You - https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-you-podcast/?originalSubdomain=uk

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

When Mitch started out in recruitment 30 years ago, he did the normal contingency consultant thing. He quickly realised there was a better way of doing things - After a move to Geneva, Mitch set up a different kind of search agency. One that used innovative recruitment communications as it's primary source of recruiting - something that proved very popular with the people they were trying to recruit! The agency combined hard-nosed commercial consultancy with creative recruitment marketing and led Mitch to where he is today.

 

If you've not come across Mitch on LinkedIn, I highly recommend you give him a follow. He'll teach you a thing or two about your copy to candidates and clients, but his sarcastic and satirical take on the industry will make you howl!

 

01:03 - An introduction to Mitch

03:49 - The difference between a job ad and job description

07:46 - Do attitudes trump skills?

11:27 - Mitch's advice to recruitment businesses

19:38 - What annoys Mitch about Recruitment?

27:04 - Why recruiters don't last in the job

33:18 - The importance of personal branding

38:13 - What adversity has Mitch faced?

46:06 - Mitch's proudest moment

49:08 - What is Mitch's purpose?

58:56 - Advice to recruitment rookies

 

Find Mitch here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchsullivan/

Find Vincere here: https://www.vincere.io/chrisoconnell

Trauma is a part of many people’s lives, but not many are able to use it to then help others overcome theirs.

 

My guest in this episode is a very special friend, Nick Raeburn. He only started to work on his own childhood traumas late on in life and it has changed who he is and how he shows up in the world.

 

He gets raw and talks about his experience being abused by a family member as a child, and the impact this has had on the relationships in his life. He also delves into the ways this has shaped how he works with clients to support them to show up as their real selves.

 

This one is not to be missed.

 

“I think about how what I’ve been through helps other people” – Nick Raeburn

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:56 - An introduction to Nick

02:37 - How has sexual abuse affected Nick?

06:14 - Why having children changed Nick

08:49 - The reasons Nick shares his story

14:34 - Trapping a monster in a cage

19:40 - What impact has Nick's wife had on his life?

22:54 - What Nick thinks it takes to be a man

27:04 - Nick's advice to men that are struggling       

30:13 - The good, bad and ugly of LinkedIn

36:11 - Nick on accessing his 'little boy' energy

39:24 - What scares Nick now?

43:21 - How important is purpose to Nick

48:06 - The impact Nick's parents had on him

 

Nick’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatsocialnerd/

Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thatsocialnerd

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@thatsocialnerd

That Social Nerd Website - https://zaap.bio/thatsocialnerd

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Imagine your mother leaves a note to say she is going for jam but doesn’t return for 6 months.

 

This was what happened to my guest Zsike Peter.

 

Zsike had the hardest of childhoods. Born in Transylvania under the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. After the separation of her parents her stepmother performed cruel acts on her and her sisters that led to her birth mother kidnapping them to flee the country and rescue them.

 

Later in life the birth of her daughter awoke memories she had long repressed of the child abuse she suffered from her grandfather.

 

Zsike also gives insights into the world of marketing and how we communicate.

 

This episode is testament to the strength that Zsike has shown throughout her whole life and to also show the doubters what incredible things she can achieve.

 

“My mother put all of us on a train and basically kidnapped us” – Zsike Peter

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:45 - An introduction to Zsike

02:30 - Zsike's journey since school

06:08 - Life under a dictatorship

15:00 - Being saved by her mother kidnapping her

17:42 - Zsike's childhood trauma

28:06 - How her trauma impacted who she is

31:23 - Zsike's advice to children going through abuse

39:17 - Zsike on life in Hungary with her mother

42:34 - Zsike on how we communicate

49:46 - Confidence vs anxiety

53:26 - Zsike's life as an au pair

01:01:06 - Zsike then vs Zsike now

01:06:50 - What would Zsike say to her younger self?         

 

Zsike’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zsike-peter/

Vampire Digital - https://www.vampiredigital.biz/  

Zsike’s artwork - https://www.zsikepeter.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zsikepe/

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

You are more powerful than you think.

 

With the right attitude and mindset, you can achieve anything in life. This is the belief of my guest in this episode, Ani Filipova.

 

Ani grew up with humble beginnings in Bulgaria, a socialist country, where she was always told “be quiet” and “don’t speak up”. But she knew she wanted more out of life, and she has never let those voices stop her.

 

Going on to become COO of Citbank that has 250,00 employees globally, Ani talks about why she left it all behind to focus on her family and then become a coach. She shares the deep challenges she faced in having children, and the mental load this had on her fearing it may never happen.

 

“Apart from dying you can reverse or correct anything” – Ani Filipova

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:44 - An introduction to Ani

04:39 - Humble beginnings to COO of Citibank

09:44 - The dark times Ani has faced

15:08 - How has motherhood changed Ani

21:08 - What's important in a healthy relationship?

27:22 - Living with heart palpitations

33:06 - Why Ani climbed Kilimanjaro

35:11 - Why Ani left the corporate world

40:45 - Ani on her coaching

42:13 - How has Ani evolved throughout her life?

43:26 - What has scarred or scared Ani?

49:31 - Is Ani good at setting boundaries?

54:20 - Ani on the loss of her father

 

Ani’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anifilipova/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ani.filipova.148

Change Advisory - https://anifilipova.me/

Ani’s podcast Change is Possible - https://changeispossible.site/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

A public rejection on Dragon’s Den would be the end of many entrepreneurs’ dreams, not so Laura Bartlett. After being told to “have a reality check” she took the rejection and created something bigger and better.

 

As the Founder of House of Coco Magazine, now 10 years strong, she has lived through debilitating grief, separation, and bankruptcy. All these things have shaped who she is now and how she views the world.

 

In this episode she talks about the experience on Dragon’s Den, her relationship with money, how she coped with grief having lost her father and what it was like to go bankrupt.

 

“Never fall out of love with life” – Laura Bartlett

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 – Start

00:46 - An introduction to Laura

05:18 - Has Laura always been entrepreneurial?

10:39 - Does Laura stop and feel her emotions?

14:28 - How Laura copes with grief

19:16 - Laura's experience on Dragon's Den

23:01 - Laura's relationship with money

26:03 - Laura's thoughts on relationships

28:18 - Laura's mental health journey

35:06 - Laura on going bankrupt

40:12 - Has Laura experienced any discrimination?

45:37 - Does Laura have any regrets?

 

Laura’s resources:

 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurabartlett0/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartlettlaura/?originalSubdomain=uk

House of Coco - https://houseofcoco.net/

X - https://twitter.com/laurabartlett0

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

X - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Is being vulnerable a strength?

 

For many showing vulnerability is not something they are willing to do. They see it as a form of weakness. It isn’t, it’s what the world needs more of.

 

In this episode I am joined by Seth Prezant, who I first met climbing Kilimanjaro. Seth isn’t afraid of vulnerability and shares in depth about his relationships, including his divorce from his wife, and how this had a huge impact on his mental health.

 

He also talks about how he has shown up as a father, the good and the bad. Seth is all about reflection and honesty, and that’s what you’ll get in this episode.

 

“There’s a point when you feel it’s ok to love more and care less” – Seth Prezant

 

You'll hear about:

 

01:10 - An introduction to Seth         

04:15 - Seth's journey since school

09:01 - Seth on boundaries and kindness

15:14 - Seth's parental relationships

19:14 - How does vulnerability link with strength?

22:45 - Seth on his own mental health

30:16 - Why Seth hates the word judgement

34:09 - Seth's family relationships

44:55 - What makes a strong relationship?

56:13 - How did divorce affect Seth?

01:02:30 - What has scared and scarred Seth the most?                                          

 

Seth’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethprezant/

Hike Your Sales - https://www.hikeyoursales.co/  

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Eating disorders take over your whole life.

 

It affects everything from relationships, to who you are and how you show up in the world.

 

This was life as a young adult for my guest, Melissa Matson. She was always counting calories and believed that waking up in pain was a good thing. Now she’s through the other side and in a place where she uses this experience to ensure she lives a life full of self-kindness.

 

In this episode she shares all about life with anorexia, how she lost who she was after having kids and how she has now reclaimed that. She delves into her purpose of working as a brand strategist and why focusing on metrics is never the right approach.

 

“There comes a point that you’ve got to stop pretending to be the thing you think you should be” – Melissa Matson

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 – Start

00:46 - An introduction to Melissa

04:12 - Who is the real Melissa?

10:24 - Was Melissa a self-made resilient person?

15:37 - Melissa's life with an eating disorder

20:11 - What therapy taught Melissa

23:52 - Melissa's life outside of social media

27:57 – Melissa’s thoughts on social media metrics

30:30 - Losing who she was after having kids

40:53 - What would Melissa change about her life?

46:35 - What does Melissa want to be remembered for?

51:54 - What does the future look like?

 

Meilssa’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamatson-brandstrategist/

Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@themelissamatson

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/embrbrandagency/

Embr Brand Agency - https://www.embrbrandagency.com/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

How well do you really know yourself?

 

Taking time to understand who you are, without listening to other people’s bullshit ideas of what you should be is the most powerful thing you can do.

 

That is exactly what my guest, Amy Polly, has done to live her life by her rules.

 

Amy is a Chief Mindfulness Rebel, TEDx Speaker and ADHD Advocate. We delve into what led her to embrace the world of mindfulness and now want to reinvent it as funfulness. Amy shares the struggles she faced with post-natal anxiety, abusive relationships and how she was always different to those around her. Something she understands more about since a diagnosis with ADHD.

 

Amy’s life of funfulness has come from embracing those differences and being true to herself.

 

“You can’t go wrong being true to who you are” – Amy Polly

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:51 - An introduction to Amy

04:03 - The emotional side of Amy

06:32 - Amy's relationships with family and friends

12:36 - Amy on mental health

20:35 - Are our thoughts true?

22:52 - Amy on her difficult relationships

28:04 - The power of accepting who you are

31:56 - What is funfulness?

37:07 - Tackling toxic cultures

40:18 - Amy on neurodiversity

46:12 - Old Amy vs the new Amy

51:12 - What does Amy struggle with?

57:22 - Amy on love

 

Amy’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypolly/

Website - https://www.amypolly.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisisamypolly

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thisisamypolly 

 

Episode resources:

 

Jaaq.com - https://jaaq.org/home

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

To be diagnosed with Tourette's after brain damage in his early 20s is a twist Luke Manton never expected. Luke has had to experience this condition and live in a world that discriminated against him for who he’s now become. This led Luke to attempting to end his own life, but in doing so he later found that he was loved so much, my so many. 💙 Since then he has 💙harnessed his adversity 💙created his own path and purpose 💙become the leader of an 8 person business 💙a Linkedln celebrity and has given a TED talk! But as you will hear there is more joy and happiness to come.... This episode had us both crying on the show itself. To me Luke is a hero and someone I am massively inspired by, look up to, and take enormous strength from. My tears were just of pure admiration - I’m honoured to have him in the show. 😭

 

“Tourette’s was my parting gift from brain damage” – Luke Manton

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 – Start

00:37 - An introduction to Luke

01:53 - How Tourette’s affected Luke's life

04:48 - Disadvantage and disrespect cause by Tourette’s

08:04 - How Luke has coped with the dark times

13:36 - Luke on his upbringing

16:46 - Luke on his sexuality

21:25 - Did Tourette’s influence Luke's purpose?

27:30 - How has Luke's mental health been impacted?

32:26 - Luke's growth out of the darkness

39:47 - How Luke has handled social media fame

44:30 - Treating people like people

48:12 - Luke on therapy

50:14 - Luke's partnership with George

54:39 - Luke's experience giving a TED talk

 

Luke’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukemantonme/

Manton Executives - https://www.mantonexecutives.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mantonexecutives/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mantonexecutives/?hl=en

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

X - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

The mind is a powerful thing. Your experience of life is determined by your thoughts, whether it’s experiencing burnout, gratitude, or your relationship with money, it all stems from your thoughts. So how are your thoughts making you experience life?

 

In this episode I talk to Steve Ware, a mindfulness trainer who supports businesses to optimise their employee wellbeing and reduce burnout. Steve has been through burnout himself after an upbringing that saw him win at everything in life. So it came as a shock.

 

Steve reveals how he got out of burnout and why it is important to sit with our feelings and how we can learn to observe our thoughts. He also shares his thoughts on gratitude and how he now sees his experiences with burnout and losing his job with IBM as a gift.

 

“How much courage does it take to sit and be with your thoughts” – Steve Ware

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:34 - An introduction to Steve

04:13 - What is burnout?

07:34 - The importance of sitting and feeling

08:13 - How Steve got out of burnout

11:44 - Learning to observe your thoughts

18:15 - Does Steve have to wear masks within his work?

29:13 - What is Steve's grand plan?

31:04 - Was burnout and losing his job at IBM a gift?

34:42 - Steve's thoughts on money

38:59 - Gratitude isn’t the solution to everything

48:26 - What fulfils Steve?

 

Steve’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-ware-mindfulness/

Steve Ware Mindfulness Website - https://www.stevewaremindfulness.com/

Steve’s mindfulness blog - https://www.stevewaremindfulness.com/blog

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Nothing works unless you do.

 

Your family, your relationships, your business.

 

That’s why you need to look after yourself first to be able to best serve those around you.

 

In this episode I am joined by Nat Berman, who has lived by this rule in all areas of his life. He shares his views on the LinkedIn landscape after having built a successful personal brand from the platform.

 

He also discusses why finding the right people is important but not an easy process, and how this can impact your online presence as well as real world connections. Nat also shares how anxiety has affected him throughout his life and what has worked for him to manage it.

 

“Look out for number 1 otherwise you’re way less useful to other people” – Nat Berman

 

You'll hear about:

 

01:03 - An introduction to Nat

02:21 - Nat's view of the LinkedIn landscape

05:51 - The importance of personal in personal brand         

09:57 - Nat's journey since school

14:17 - Nat's version of coaching

18:20 - Nat on family and relationships

20:01 - Nat on enhancing your mental health

22:44 - Where did Nat's anxiety stem from?

24:52 - What is purpose to Nat?

29:04 - Finding the right people

34:43 - Nat on manifestation

39:14 - The misconception of grinding          

42:07 - Nat on the algorithm

45:48 - Nat's advice to build a personal brand          

49:03 - Nat's worst anxiety

 

Nat’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielberman/

Website - https://natberman.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realnatberman/

X - https://twitter.com/natberman79

Nat’s free brand built guide - https://newsletter.natberman.com/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

What is your biggest fear in life?

 

For my guest in this episode, Lewis Ellis, it’s not achieving or even trying.

 

This ethos has led Lewis to do great things but to also find himself in troubled waters. From creating successful marketing startups, synonymous with guerilla tactics, to washing up in a war zone as a holiday rep.

 

Lewis shares his fears but also why he wants to live a life by his rules. Whether that’s through the relationships he builds, the way he approaches business or how he views money, he is unapologetically him. And that is a powerful place to be in life.

 

Lewis also discusses his infamous, viral air pod saga and where his nature for being a disruptor came from.

 

If you want to live a life unapologetically as you, this one’s going to hit home.

 

“My biggest fear in life is wasting time” – Lewis Ellis

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:43 - An introduction to Lewis

03:56 - Where does Lewis' disruptor nature come from?

08:41 - What's the real Lewis like?

14:04 - Lewis on relationships

20:06 - Lewis and the air pods           

25:06 - Lewis on his mental health

29:19 - Did Lewis' parental relationships affect him?

33:49 - What affects Lewis emotionally?

35:18 - What is Lewis' purpose?

44:32 - Using LinkedIn cathartically

47:27 - Will Lewis ever change his approach to life?

51:13 - Is there healing that Lewis needs to go through?

54:46 - What has scarred and scared Lewis the most?

01:00:39 - How important is money to Lewis?

 

Lewis’ resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-ellis/

Hussel Marketing - https://hussel.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lewis_ellis_/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LewisEllis

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HusselMarketing

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

Your purpose doesn’t need to be about building a legacy, it can come from the knowledge

 

00:54 - An introduction to Alexandra

05:21 - The human side of recruitment

10:31 – Alexandra’s Romanian childhood

12:33 - The effects of being abandoned twice in her life

18:14 - Alexandra's worthiness journey

20:33 - Alexandra explains all about Recfindr

26:37 - How her parents leaving impacted her

32:15 - What is Alexandra's purpose?

38:18 - Improving the perception of recruiters

44:35 - Personal branding is not just one thing

54:24 - Alexandra's thoughts on inclusivity

01:11:06 - A time when Alexandra was hurt                                     

 

Alexandra’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrachirica/

Recfindr website - https://recfindr.co.uk/

Recfindr LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/recfindr/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisisyourtale_alex/?hl=en

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thisisyourtale_alex?lang=en

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/

To live life free of shame is a powerful existence. Not many do, and those that achieve it will say it takes work on yourself. Constant work.

 

My guest in this episode, Dionne Slater, lived a life full of shame. From being abandoned by her father, to her mother setting some bad examples, which eventually led her down a path of sex work herself. In her darkest moments she tried to end her life only to be saved by her dog.

 

After all of this she did the work that allowed her to live an unapologetic life without shame, something she now works with others to achieve through her coaching.

 

“You’ve got to do the work, you’ll come out the other side so much stronger” – Dionne Slater

 

You'll hear about:

 

00:00 - Start

00:32 - How Dionne became so unapologetic

01:30 - Dionne's journey since school

05:13 - Has her mum's actions impacted relationships?      

11:17 - Things you have done don't define you

15:20 - Doing the work is ongoing

20:06 - Dionne's experience getting herpes

23:53 - What was Dionne's darkest moment?

28:42 - Doing work on attachment styles

31:30 - What have been Dionne's happiest moments?

37:11 - Dionne's relationship with her father

41:37 - Dionne's experiences with depression & suicide

46:25 - What improvements does Dionne need to make?

51:49 - Dionne on LinkedIn

53:54 - What is Dionne's purpose?

 

Dionne’s resources:

 

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionneslater/

 

My resources: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/

X - https://twitter.com/ChrisOConnell11

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

TikTok - https://www.instagram.com/chrisoconnellcoach/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZWYrxrzzaElmpZMy5S86w

Basemindset website - https://basemindset.com/