It's all to easy to get caught up in work, achievement, or the daily grind. If we’re not careful, we can lose sight of ourselves and the love we have to give and receive. The way forward is to focus on kindness. This means being kind to others and, just as importantly, to ourselves.

Matt Dean’s experience – his continuing battle with cancer, his brush with death, and his moment of spiritual awakening – shows that love and kindness are at the heart of everything good. Even in the face of fear and hardship, kindness can guide us to live more fully and meaningfully.

Without kindness, life can feel empty, even when we’re busy. We can end up working hard but missing out on what truly fulfils us. Struggles can feel heavier, and fear can take over when we lack a foundation of love and goodness.

Take a moment right now to pause and reflect. Think about one simple act of kindness you can do today, whether for someone else or for yourself. Then, go and do it. These small steps can change everything.

Reasons to listen

• Explore how living with cancer shaped Matt's perspective on love, kindness, and leadership.
• Understand the transformative power of facing mortality and embracing vulnerability in personal and professional life.
• For ways to cultivate kindness and compassion in everyday interactions, including with yourself.

Highlights

• [00:07:00] Being a positive cancer role model
• [00:14:51] Facing your mortality
• [00:17:40] Finding the love
• [00:22:04] Matt's spiritual experience
• [00:25:13] Your humanity is all that matters
• [00:26:50] Becoming the Beardy Guru
• [00:30:24] Why Matt's not ready to retire
• [00:35:33] What Fearless Forward means to Matt
• [00:37:01] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Matt via LinkedIn
• The Soft Stuff: Reclaiming Kindness for the World of Work – Matt’s book
• Byrne-Dean
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Responsibility can be hard to let go of when we’re used to being the one everyone relies on. This burden often leaves no room for joy, creativity, or the things that truly fulfil us. We get stuck in patterns of doing what we think we should do, rather than what we deeply want to do.

The way forward is to create space for ourselves. This means stepping back from some of the things that weigh us down, even if they’ve brought us success. It’s about choosing to pursue what lights us up and leaning into the magic of life. By doing this, we can rediscover joy and find new ways to contribute meaningfully.

In this conversation, successful consultant turned author Tierah Lothbrok explores how we can recognise the responsibilities that are truly ours and let go of the rest, so we don’t risk losing touch with ourselves.

Reasons to listen

• Learn practical strategies for letting go of excessive responsibility while maintaining success and finding more joy in life
• Discover how to recognise and break free from patterns of success addiction that may be blocking personal growth and fulfilment
• Explore ways to bring everyday magic and creativity back into your life while maintaining professional achievements

Highlights

• [00:05:45] Knowing it's going to be OK
• [00:10:51] Navigating self-doubt
• [00:15:15] Time to rediscover joy
• [00:17:37] Going into the unknown
• [00:18:52] Addiction to success
• [00:25:29] Accelerating through difficult moments... but not rushing
• [00:27:58] That Tierah has learned about herself
• [00:29:41] How to bring magic into every day
• [00:35:49] Decide
• [00:38:23] What Fearless Forward means to Tierah
• [00:38:43] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Tierah via LinkedIn
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

Sometimes as leaders we face situations that feel overwhelming, whether it’s uncertainty, financial struggles, or the fear of letting others down. These challenges can take a toll on our mental and physical health, and even our confidence in moving forward.

But we can overcome these tough moments by staying focused, being resourceful, and never giving up.

In this episode, Caffe Nero founder Pablo Ettinger shares how he managed to navigate both personal risks and business challenges by maintaining a clear vision, leaning on the right people, and preparing with a plan B.

Letting fear or stress control us leads to poor decisions, burnout, or to us giving up on something that could have succeeded with just a little more effort or support. But there are small, deliberate actions we can take to move forward, and hopefully, someone close you can turn to for guidance.

Reasons to listen

• Discover practical strategies for handling high-stakes business situations while maintaining composure and making thoughtful decisions rather than reactive choices.
• Learn how successful entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty and financial challenges by leveraging support networks and maintaining a clear vision.
• Understand the importance of balancing personal wellbeing with business responsibilities when facing stressful leadership situations.

Highlights

• [00:02:02] Meeting Pablo
• [00:04:23] When things are out of your control
• [00:08:35] Never give up
• [00:10:00] To the edge of fear
• [00:12:53] There's always a way
• [00:16:46] Working with others
• [00:17:38] Taking the leap
• [00:27:30] Bringing music to Caffe Nero
• [00:30:40] Talent Banq
• [00:33:32] Bringing musicians to the mountain
• [00:37:08] What Fearless Forward means to Pablo
• [00:38:15] Takeaways from Sally-Anne

Resources

• Connect with Pablo via LinkedIn
• Talentbanq
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn