Bee Brilliant People Podcast

Hosted by Mike Bedford

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Feb 2025

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About the show

Welcome to the Bee Brilliant People Podcast, where we speak to bold, courageous leaders who are not afraid to be vulnerable and share how they are changing the world. We often but not always talk about neurodiversity and why it is so important to embrace the principles of equity and belonging in all we do. Join the conversation and if you like what you hear, please subscribe and rate us.

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33 recent

February 9, 2025Episode 3352 min

Episode 33 My Dyslexic Leadership Story with Major Symon Smith

Symon Smith is a senior British Army leader transitioning to civilian life after a career serving our country. Symon is openly Dyslexic and proud of his neurodivergence and the work he does to raise the profile of Dyslexia through the Dyslexia Defence Network (DDN).We talked about Dyslexia in the Armed Forces and the UK Ministry of Defence and the ever-expanding role and influence of the DDN, of which Symon is a co-chair.It's great to see the potential of Dyslexia being utilised in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF), all of whom service personnel, both uniformed and civilian, play such a critical role in keeping us safe from danger.LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/symon-smith/

December 3, 2024Episode 3259 min

Episode 32 Talking Burnout with Kelly Swingler

Join me, Mike Bedford, as I discuss the very real and present danger of Burnout with Kelly Swingler, a lived-experience expert, educator, trainer, speaker, author, and Burnoutologist. As our lives become ever faster and we have more to do, our chances of experiencing burnout increase tenfold. None of us are immune from the devastating effects of burnout, and we often only take note when we've fallen over the edge. Burnout can have long-term effects on our physical and mental health and should not be dismissed. This is an unmissable episode and will resonate with so many people. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button and leave a five-star review if you enjoyed the show. You can educate yourself and order Kelly's latest book here: F*ck Burnout: Why We Need to Call BS on Workplace Wellbeing to Finally Banish Burnout You can visit Kelly's website and learn more about the amazing work she does www.kellyswingler.com You can follow or connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.

September 30, 2024Episode 311 hr 0 min

Episode 31 Neurodivergent Awakening with Gary Coulton

The human mind is an enigma for many! It’s a lifelong fascination for our special guest on episode 31 of the Podcast Gary Coulton. Once cursed by his hyperactive, maverick, neurospicy brain, Gary faced deep struggles, even considering taking his own life and ending the noise at one point. But through sheer resilience and a journey of self-discovery, he turned his life around and learned how to listen to the voices in his head as a positive. Gary's story is one of innovation, grit, and endless curiosity. He went from early sporting success to a distinguished academic career and even ran an executive coaching business. He’s an inventor, innovator, scientific researcher, teacher, and obsessed marathon kayaker who keeps moving forward against the tide. Join us as we dive deep into this remarkable journey. We will discuss how Gary conquered his darkest moments, harnessed the power of his restless mind, and embraced neurodiversity to fuel his success. You can order a copy of Gary's book here: Demons to Champions: How I fell in love with my neurodivergent maverick mind You can connect with Gary on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycoultonaic/ This is an unmissable episode and will resonate with so many people. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button and leave a five-star review if you enjoyed the show.

August 20, 2024Episode 3057 min

Episode 30 How Fighting The System Changed My Life with Matt Jolly

It was a pleasure to be joined in conversation with Matt Jolly, Operations Director at RTN Diagnostics (specialists in providing ADHD and Autism Diagnosis and support). Matt, who is also neurodivergent himself and lives in a vibrant neurodivergent family setting, shares openly and honestly the challenges he and his family have faced "fighting the system" and the impact this has had on everyone, resulting in battles with schools and professionals when all he and his family wanted was support and answers - sadly this is all too common in this space. Matt explains how he navigated these challenges as a Dad and as a professional and how the experience changed his life literally. He then talks about his journey to RTN Diagnostics, what they do and why it means so much to him to be there supporting this. I hope you enjoy this "no holds barred" conversation as much as I enjoyed having it with Matt. I hope some of what is shared is helpful for someone out there who might be struggling with a similar situation - know there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you enjoyed this content, please don't forget to hit the subscribe button and give us a five-star rating, as it really helps. Here are a few links for the show notes that might be helpful that Matt kindly shared: https://www.gov.uk/government/publica... https://www.themazegroup.co.uk/ https://www.rtnmentalhealthsolutions.... https://www.rtnmedical.com/ You can find out more about Bee Brilliant People and how we support Neurodiversity both in the workplace and with individuals by clicking on our link below: www.beebrilliantpeople.com

June 27, 2024Episode 3147 min

Episode 29 Pierre Escaich

In this episode, we speak to the Global Head of Neurodiversity Talent Programme at Ubisoft, Pierre Escaich. Pierre shares why Neurodiversity is so important to him and why that flows into his role at Ubisoft. As a global leader with influence, Pierre has the power to create change and wields that power and influence well. Ubisoft is leading the way regarding being a Neuroinclusive employer because they understand the many talents and skills that Neurodivergent people have to offer - rather than doing what many businesses do and focusing on people as challenges. Check out how Ubisoft, led by Pierre, attracts and supports the best Neurodivergent talent on the market. https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/careers/neurodiversity If you're not already, then you can follow and connect with Pierre on LinkedIn (highly recommended) https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierreescaich/ I hope you enjoy the conversation. Please subscribe and leave us a five-star rating if you do. To find out more about us and what we can do to support your business, visit our website: www.beebrilliantpeople.com

April 23, 2024Episode 2859 min

Episode 28 Isaac Harvey M.B.E

In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting Isaac Harvey MBE, a remarkable disability activist and advocate. Isaac's journey is nothing short of inspiring, as he has dedicated his life to advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Isaac's zest for life and positive attitude is infectious and he is a joy to be around. His tireless efforts have earned him recognition, including the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) award from King Charles III himself. Join us as we delve into Isaac's experiences, insights, and the impact of his advocacy work. Connect with Isaac on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacharvey-videoeditor/ Find out more about the Charity Wheels & Wheelchairs, of which Isaac is the President. https://www.wheelsandwheelchairs.co.uk/

March 11, 2024Episode 2749 min

Episode 27 Lori Niles-Hofmann

In this episode of the Podcast, we are joined by Lori Niles-Hofmann, the powerhouse of the Learning and Development World and global specialist in Ed-Tech. I've known Lori in the virtual world for several years and am a huge fan of her work, thinking, and actions. As an ex-head of L&D, now turned to Neurodiversity trainer, coach and speaker, having the opportunity to discuss the world of people development in the sphere of Neurodiversity, inclusion, and belonging was an opportunity not to be missed. And let me tell you, Lori did not disappoint as a guest—she is every bit as f@@king awesome as I expected she would be. If you're a Leader, if you're in HR or L&D or care about supporting and developing 100% of your people, you cannot afford to miss this episide. I hope you enjoy the Podcast. If you do, please don't forget to rate us so others can find us. Thank you! You can connect with Lori on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinileshofmann/ You can visit our Website to learn about how we can support you around Neurodiversity in the Workplace www.beebrilliantpeople.com

February 28, 2024Episode 261 hr 2 min

Episode 26 Northern Value Creators

Simon and Amanda Cookson own "Northern Value Creators" whose mission is "Growing businesses with transformative communication and applied neuroscience". It was an opportunity too good to miss to bring them on the Podcast to discuss this and so much more. We talked openly about: 🧠 Neurospicy family dynamics - the joy, the pain, the ups and downs, meltdowns (crease in the sock moments), the unpredictable nature of life on the spectrum and Simon's role as the Neurotypical Husband and Father trying to find calm in the storm. 🧠 How supporting ND Children has caused a lightbulb moment for Amanda in terms of her own Neurospicyness and how she's been on a journey with this. 🧠 Neurodiversity in the workplace and building equitable and inclusive cultures that help everyone to feel they belong and to thrive. 🧠 Adopting a Neuroscience approach to Leadership and not being afraid of having difficult conversations with your ND people. 🧠 The dynamics of relationships, being Neurodivergent and Neurotypical, in both professional and personal lives. We enjoyed this conversation, and quite honestly, we could have done a few hours, but we had to rein it in as there was so much to unpack. Visit the Northern Value Creators Website to learn more about Simon & Amanda's work. Visit our Website to learn how we can support you to empower and embed Neurodiversity in your business.

January 10, 2024Episode 2552 min

Episode 25 Katy Mason

This episode welcomes Katy Mason, Leadership and Transformative Coach, Director and Owner of AnotherWay Coaching. Katy does not identify as being Neurodivergent but recognises many traits in herself and remains curious and open-minded. In the Podcast, we discuss Coaching and Leadership from the perspective of supporting Neurodivergent people and also tackle how to have powerful conversations with people who don't think, do or act like you. It was a fascinating conversation with a few lightbulb moments, and we hope you enjoyed the conversation as much as we enjoyed having it. We didn't shy away from having a challenging conversation and addressed these with respect. You can connect with Katy on LinkedIn, where she mainly hangs out and visit her Website AnotherWay Coaching to learn more about what her business does and how she can help you thrive. You can contact and connect with me, Mike Bedford, through LinkedIn or visit the Bee Brilliant People website to learn more about my full range of services in the space of Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Speaking and Coaching. Don't forget to rate the Podcast as a 5* if you enjoyed it, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. We've got some amazing guests lined up for 2024 - stay tuned!

September 28, 2023Episode 2457 min

Episode 24 Nathan Whitbread

Unlocking Potential: Coaching and Neurodiversity Insights with Nathan Whitbread In this episode of the Neurodivergent Superstars series, we're thrilled to introduce Nathan Whitbread, an exceptional coach with a wealth of expertise in neurodiversity. 🌟 Join us as Nathan delves into the coaching world and its transformative impact on individuals. Discover how coaching can empower neurodivergent individuals to thrive and succeed. If you're eager to explore the profound benefits of coaching in Neurodiversity, this episode is a must-watch! Nathan shares his journey, extensive knowledge, and invaluable insights about coaching as a game-changer for success. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! Thanks for joining us, Nathan! 🚀 Links from the show: Coaching inn: https://www.3dcoaching.com/the-coaching-inn/ Simplifying coaching https://amzn.eu/d/fyY1fxs The Coaching Habit: https://amzn.eu/d/2T6gD5o Link to ATW freebie: https://www.subscribepage.com/b2d2z0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to learn more about me and my business? 🌐 Visit my Website, www.beebrilliantpeople.com, to find out what I do and why 📧 Email - beebrilliantpeople@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@beebrilliantpeople 🤝 Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebedford/ Thank you for listening, and see you next time! p.s. don't forget to rate us ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ on your Podcast streaming service of choice - helps others to find us :)