Lead From Within

Hosted by Unmind

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Lead From Within is the podcast for People leaders that sits at the intersection of leadership, performance and mental health. In each episode, Dr Nick Taylor, CEO & Co-founder of Unmind, sits down with a CHRO or C-Suite leader to explore their remarkable journeys to the top. Our mission is to give People people the knowledge they need to lead from within.

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21 recent

July 31, 2026Episode 211 hr 0 min

Phillippa O'Connor, Chief People Officer, PwC UK: Resilience, healthy boundaries, & high-performance

Join Dr. Nick Taylor for a conversation with Phillippa O'Connor, Chief People Officer at PwC UK, exploring how leaders can build high-performing organizations while creating cultures where people can thrive. Phillippa shares how her journey – from management consulting to leading one of the UK's largest people functions – shaped her perspective on leadership, resilience, and psychological safety. Together, they discuss the importance of setting healthy boundaries, why psychological safety is a driver of performance rather than a compromise on standards, how leaders can prevent burnout by building resilience, and what AI means for the future of work, learning, and employee development. This episode offers practical insights for people leaders navigating organizational change, building resilient teams, fostering belonging, and preparing their workforce for a future where technology and human connection must work hand in hand. Subscribe for the latest episodes. ✔️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zl6Ksl ✔️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast ✔️ Follow Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/

April 29, 2026Episode 2059 min

Melissa Werneck, Kraft Heinz: The CEO-CHRO partnership, psychological safety and leading through transformation

Join Dr. Nick Taylor for a wide-ranging conversation with Melissa Werneck, former EVP and Global Chief People Officer at Kraft Heinz, exploring what it takes to lead people and performance through periods of constant transformation. Melissa shares how her background in engineering shaped her approach to HR, why strong partnerships between CEOs and CHROs are critical to business success, and how data can elevate people functions into true strategic partners. Together, they discuss the importance of psychological safety, the evolving role of managers in supporting employee wellbeing, and the delicate balance between driving performance and protecting people from burnout. This episode offers practical insights for leaders navigating change, building resilient cultures, and preparing their organizations for a future shaped by AI, new generations of workers, and rising expectations of leadership. Subscribe now for inspiring episodes that will empower you to lead from within. ✔️ Follow Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Listen/watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zl6Ksl ✔️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

March 31, 2026Episode 1939 min

Dr Jonathan O’Keeffe, GE Vernova: How to build a wellbeing strategy

Join Dr. Nick Taylor for a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Jonathan O’Keeffe, Chief Medical Officer at GE Vernova, recorded to mark the launch of their partnership with Unmind. Jonathan shares how his background in medicine shaped his commitment to preventive care, why mental health must be treated as a core driver of performance, and what it takes to build a truly integrated wellbeing strategy at scale. Together, they explore the shift from reactive support to proactive care, the role of leadership in normalizing wellbeing, and how organizations can balance technology and humanity as AI expands access to mental health support. This episode offers practical insights for leaders looking to create healthier, higher-performing workplaces where people can thrive over the long term. Subscribe now for inspiring episodes that will empower you to lead from within. ✔️ Follow Nick on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Listen/watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zl6Ksl ✔️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

February 11, 2026Episode 1823 min

2026 Trends Special Edition: The CHRO View on Transformation

Join Dr. Nick Taylor for a special edition of Lead from Within , bringing together insights from six CHROs on the trends shaping 2026. From constant transformation and AI adoption to burnout, authenticity, and performance, this episode explores how people strategy is becoming business strategy. Hear what leading CHROs are prioritizing now, and what leaders must do differently in the year ahead. Subscribe now for inspiring episodes that will empower you to lead from within. ✔️ Follow Nick: on LinkedIn ⁠linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Listen/watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zl6KslKPNhL7X8dvSMXtV?si=b13a792c67784dd3 ⁠✔️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-from-within/id1712635181

January 6, 2026Episode 1757 min

Brendan Reidy, Acushnet: Leading With Humanity in High-Performance Cultures

Join Dr. Nick Taylor for a thoughtful conversation with Brendan Reidy, Chief People Officer at Acushnet Company, on leading with humanity in high-performance environments. Brendan reflects on how sport shaped his leadership mindset, why truly knowing your people matters, and how HR leaders can balance adaptability, culture, and care in a world defined by constant change. They also explore the impact of AI on the future of HR and why normalizing conversations about mental health at work is more important than ever. Subscribe now for inspiring episodes that will empower you to lead from within. ✔️ Follow Nick: on LinkedIn ⁠linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Listen/watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zl6KslKPNhL7X8dvSMXtV?si=b13a792c67784dd3 ⁠✔️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lead-from-within/id1712635181

November 5, 2025Episode 1652 min

Kristy Banas, WTW: Financial literacy in HR and humanity at work

Join Nick for an inspiring conversation with Kristy Banas, CHRO of WTW – a company with nearly 200 years of history navigating the modern workplace. Kristy shares her personal journey into HR, her philosophy on bringing humanity to work, and why people leadership must be strategic business leadership. She discusses the critical importance of financial literacy in HR, offers her predictions for the future of the profession, and explores how curiosity and emerging technologies like AI are reshaping how we lead. Don't miss this crucial discussion on the evolving role of HR and what it takes to lead with purpose in today's workplace. Subscribe to hear more conversations with leaders who are transforming the world of work from within. ✔️ Find out more about Lead From Within: unmind.com/lead-from-within ✔️ Follow Nick: on LinkedIn ⁠linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Visit Unmind.com to learn more about performance, leadership, and transforming mental health at work

September 15, 2025Episode 1558 min

Daniela Seabrook, Adecco: Inclusion, transformation, and the AI-enabled CHRO

Join Dr Nick Taylor as he sits down with Daniela Seabrook, CHRO of Adecco Group, to explore how global organisations can put people at the heart of performance, leadership, and transformation. Daniela shares her journey across industries and the pivotal lessons that shape her approach to mental health, inclusion, and leadership at scale. They discuss the shift from reactive to proactive mental health strategies, creating psychologically safe and high-performing teams, and balancing wellbeing with sustainable performance. Daniela also reflects on the role of AI in shaping the future of work and how HR leaders can guide teams through periods of transformation while keeping the human side front and centre. Tune in for practical insights on leadership, organisational wellbeing, and the future of work from one of the world’s leading HR voices. ✔️ Find out more about Lead From Within: unmind.com/lead-from-within ✔️ Follow Nick: linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=2LJLFVXCaNI

August 11, 202556 min

Tracy Layney, Levi Strauss & Co: Burnout, the talent-performance gap, and empathy amid transformation

In this episode of Lead From Within , Dr. Nick Taylor sits down with Tracy Layney, global HR leader and former Chief Human Resources Officer at Levi Strauss. Tracy reflects on her journey from aspiring ballet dancer to guiding large-scale HR transformations. Together, they explore the evolving role of HR, why mental health matters at work, and how AI could shape the future workplace. It’s a conversation about leadership, empathy, and what it takes to build workplaces where people and businesses – thrive. Former Levi Strauss CHRO Tracy Layney shares why so many companies call talent their greatest asset but fail to treat it that way, how burnout reshapes leaders, and why empathy is essential for navigating disruption. Subscribe to hear more conversations with leaders who are transforming the world of work from within. ✔️ Find out more about Lead From Within: unmind.com/lead-from-within ✔️ Follow Nick: on LinkedIn ⁠linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Visit Unmind.com to learn more about performance, leadership, and transforming mental health at work

June 3, 202541 min

Tania Gandamihardja, BAE: Authentic leadership, AI in HR, and performance through wellbeing

In this episode, Nick is joined by Tania Gandamihardja, Chief Human Resource Officer at BAE Systems, a global leader in defense and security. Together, they explore the future of work – from the growing importance of STEM education to the ethical use of AI in HR. Tania shares her personal journey from studying chemistry to leading HR at one of the world’s most innovative companies, and how life experiences have shaped her leadership style. The conversation covers the decline in STEM subject uptake, the value of apprenticeships in expanding opportunity, and why maintaining a human-centric approach in the age of AI is more vital than ever. Tania also reflects on how authenticity in leadership, continuous learning, and a strategic focus on mental health and wellbeing can foster more resilient, high-performing workplaces. Subscribe to hear more conversations with leaders who are transforming the world of work from within. ✔️ Find out more about Lead From Within: unmind.com/lead-from-within ✔️ Follow Nick: on LinkedIn ⁠linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Visit Unmind.com to learn more about performance, leadership, and transforming mental health at work

February 12, 2025Episode 1254 min

Michael Weening, Calix: Curiosity, culture and confidence in leadership

In this episode, Nick sits down with Michael Weening, President and CEO of Calix, for a deep dive into leadership, transformation, and the evolving workplace. Michael shares insights on the innovator’s dilemma, stakeholder management, and the crucial role of communication in driving change. They explore the myths of work-life balance, the impact of remote work on productivity, and the challenges of the open office concept. The conversation also delves into cultural sensitivity in leadership, the future of HR, and why a compassionate, flexible approach is key to both employee wellbeing and business success. Subscribe to hear more conversations with leaders who are transforming the world of work from within. ✔️ Find out more about Lead From Within: unmind.com/lead-from-within ✔️ Follow Nick: on LinkedIn ⁠linkedin.com/in/dr-nick-taylor/ ✔️ Visit Unmind.com to learn more about performance, leadership, and transforming mental health at work