Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend

Hosted by Anni Townend

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116

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Leaders in Conversation gives you an intimate glimpse into the real lives of business leaders. This series of candid conversations delves into a deeper side of leadership. Each intimate conversation is hosted by Anni Townend, a leadership partner, executive coach and author who has worked with thousands of business leaders throughout her career and who skilfully connects with her guests to share these inspiring life and leadership stories with you to help build confidence and courage in your own leadership journey. Connect and collaborate with Anni at www.annitownend.com

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June 9, 202639 min

What Makes Us Truly Human in an AI World?

ABOUT THIS EPISODEVictoria Rennoldson, is a coach, speaker and author specialising in global leadership, communication and cultural intelligence She is host of the podcast: The Culture Cuppa: Cultural Communication Confidence, and author of ‘Become a Global Leader: Amplify Your Impact, Lead Confidently Communicate Clearly and Connect Across Culture’. She dedicates the book to her father, who died in Spring 2025 and had a huge influence on her, and her values, beliefs, passion and purpose.In our conversation Victoria offers valuable insights into:How we need our human capabilities more than ever in an AI world.How the ability to connect and to have good conversations, and to build trust and relationships is ultimately our human differentiator.That so-called ‘soft skills' is a total misnomer and that there is nothing soft about people skills that impact individuals, teams and organisations.How in a time of divides in and out of work we need Cultural Intelligence more than ever.Victoria’s Three Key Encouragements to LeadersKeep making space for curiosity about people - have conversations, make connections;Cultural intelligence is an action, not what we know. We need to show, act and lead by example - even with people who have very different values, perspectives or behaviours from our own.Yes, AI skills matter and our human skills matter just as much. Adaptability is key.About Victoria:Victoria Rennoldson is a multi-award-winning coach, international speaker and best-selling author helping people lead across borders in a rapidly changing world.As technology accelerates and AI reshapes how we work, Victoria focuses on what makes leaders distinctly human- clarity of communication, confidence, cultural intelligence and the ability to build meaningful connection.She supports ambitious professionals and teams to increase their visibility and impact globally, helping them speak up with confidence and collaborate across cultures.Victoria is the CEO and Founder of Culture Cuppa and host of a top-ranked global leadership podcast with over 170 episodes. Her book, Become a Global Leader, became an Amazon bestseller in Career Advancement and Professional Development on launch.To connect, follow and find out more about Victoria:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldsonWebsite: https://culturecuppa.com/bookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/culture_cuppa/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culture-cuppaPodcast: https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/Book: https://culturecuppa.com/bookThank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

May 20, 202629 min

Can you love your team, and love to win? - A conversation with Yasmin O’Neal, Senior Director for Global Brand at DECIEM

ABOUT THIS EPISODEMy guest today on Leaders in Conversation is Yasmin O’Neal, Senior Director for Global Brand at DECIEM. DECIEM is best known for its leading brand The Ordinary.In our conversation Yasmin offers valuable insights into:How you can love your team, and you can winKindness versus NicenessBeing CuriousHow we all have an impactYasmin’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders:Our sphere of influence matters. Leaders have, by nature, a bigger sphere of influence - how can we use it for good?Belief should be a given. Expect little from people and they will give you little. Expect a lot and you’ll be rewarded tenfold.Loving honesty. Tell it straight, but tell it straight from the heart. You’ll be helping if you do it.Connect with Yasmin:LinkedIn: Yasmin O'NealThank you:To listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

May 5, 202642 min

How do you keep showing up when everything is shifting? A conversation with Erin Rogers, Founder of ERA Collective, Executive Coach, and Leadership Development Partner.

About this episode:Today's guest is Erin Rogers, Founder of ERA Collective, Executive Coach, and Leadership Development Partner.In our conversation Erin offers valuable insights into:Motherhood - How becoming a mother made her a better leader, grounded in what matters, more emotionally intelligent, and ultimately led to her pivot into coaching.The mentor who saw her before she saw herself - she shares the Pink Hair story and the lesson of not waiting for permission.Leading through crisis - what her daughter's cancer journey taught her about presence, priorities, and refusing to wait for 'someday.'The power of being seen, and of not hiding.Erin's leadership lessons:Make sure that you really see the people around you. Keep noticing. Name what you see in them. You might be the one who shifts everything. And don't wait - the window isn't guaranteed.Crisis Clarifies. You learn what actually matters - and you stop performing leadership and start living it.One moment of being seen can change everything. That's what psychological safety actually looks like. It's not a policy. It's a moment.Erin's three key encouragements to leaders:Stop waiting for permission. The mentor who asked about my pink hair wasn't giving me permission - she was showing me I didn't need it. And I almost waited too long.See the people around you - even when they're hiding. Ask how they are doing. One question gave me permission to stop shrinking and start helping others.Your next era can be your greatest era - if you're present, listening to the signals, and learning through your experiences. The things I've struggled with most - motherhood, menopause, my daughter's illness - are now the things I use to support other leaders. Nothing is wasted if you're paying attention.About Erin:Erin Rogers is the Founder of ERA Collective, an executive coaching and leadership development consultancy helping leaders show up with intention, build visibility, and navigate the messy middle of professional growth. With 25+ years in senior marketing and communications roles - including 12 years as Director of Brand, Marketing and Communications at EY Canada and 5 years as Country Head of Marketing at HSBC Canada - Erin brings a rare combination of strategic rigour and genuine warmth to her coaching. She is ICF ACC-certified and works with individuals, teams, and organizations ready to step into their next chapter. Erin lives in Toronto with her husband and three daughters.Connect with Erin:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erin-j-rogersWebsite: eracollective.caInsights: eracollective.ca/insightsThank youTo listen to more episodes of Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend do go to my website, www.annitownend.com; and to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, www.collaborationequation.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.If you would like a conversation with me do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.And please do subscribe, and share the podcast. Thank you for listening.

April 21, 202632 min

What role should today’s leaders play in shaping the marketers of tomorrow? A conversation with Susie Partridge, round the world sailor and founder of Blue Feathers

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:My guest today is Susie Partridge, round the world sailor and founder of the strategic marketing agency Blue Feathers.I had the pleasure of being in conversation with Susie for an earlier episode of Leaders in Conversation in which she spoke about the people, places and experiences that had shaped her life and leadership; how following her passion for sailing helped her find her purpose and to set up Blue Feathers eight years ago.In this episode we pick up on these last 8 years of running Blue Feathers and Susie offers valuable insights into:What the fast-changing marketing landscape means for capability in the industryThe responsibility leaders have for developing marketers of the futureHow to drive capability as part of a marketing cultureSusie’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders:Decide the role you want to take as a guardian of marketing – what matters to you to protect and pass on to the next generation.Whatever that is, be the champion of it – share the passion, spend time thinking about how it applies as marketing evolves, and share that on.Role model growth - normalise the cycle of learning and make it part of the everyday in our teams.About Susie:After a successful career in marketing at Unilever and British Gas, and then fulfilling her ambition of sailing a yacht around the world, Susie started her next adventure when she founded the strategic marketing agency Blue Feathers.Susie’s aim was to help marketers to be their best and drive their brands to succeed. She now leads a team of marketing experts who work with major brands including Tesco, Primark, Michelin, Simplyhealth and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.Susie believes that people do their best work when life is balanced – and that belief is reflected in how she leads the Blue Feathers team: a highly skilled, fully remote group, motivated through shared purpose and a deliverables-based approach.Susie remains passionate about sailing and loves spending time on the water. She is also now a keen beekeeper and gardener, and enjoys spending time hiking.To connect, follow and find out more about Susie:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susiepartridge/Website: www.bluefeathers.co.ukInstagram: @susiepartridge00Thank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.

April 7, 202628 min

In all the noise, how can we be more present for the people we lead and love? A conversation with Sally-Anne Airey, leadership coach, founder of Skilful Leaders, author of 'Mindful Command - the way of the evolving leader', and podcast host of Fearless Forward.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:My guest today on Leaders in Conversation is Sally-Anne Airey, leadership coach, founder of Skilful Leaders and author of Mindful Command - the way of the evolving leader, and podcast host of Fearless Forward.In our conversation Sally-Anne offers valuable insights into:What good leadership looks, sounds, and feels like.How becoming a better leader is less about what you do, and more about how you are.Why she created the concept of Mindful Command and what it is - Balanced Awareness (seeing things as they are), Clear Purpose (being clear what matters) and Fearless Compassion (cultivating the courage to do the right thing).Sally-Anne’s Key Encouragements to Leaders:PauseLook at the whole pictureListen for what’s needed.Be PresentAbout Sally-Anne: SALLY-ANNE AIREY is a leadership coach who has devoted over 40 years to the art and skill of leadership. A Royal Navy officer for 23 years, she rose to the rank of Commander and was the first woman to continue in service as a mother. Later she worked for 8 years in Ukraine and Russia, where she discovered her coaching vocation on a consultancy project in Kyiv in 2007. She has been coaching leaders ever since. Inspired by the mountains surrounding her home in the French Alps, she developed the concept of Mindful Command – now the foundation for all her work with people who care about their impact on the world.To connect, follow and find out more about Sally-Anne:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyanneairey/Website: https://skilfulleaders.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallyanne_airey/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SkilfulLeadersPodcast: https://skilfulleaders.com/podcasts-blog/Resources/Books/Free download: (If applicable) Mindful Command - The way of the evolving leaderThank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation and to find out more about Walking Partnerships do go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

March 17, 202639 min

How do we get our human needs met in a digital world? - A conversation with Jenny Latham, Executive Coach

ABOUT THIS EPISODEMy guest today is Jenny Latham, Executive Coach and passionate advocate for staying human in a digital world.In our conversation Jenny offers valuable insights into:How our modern world is leaving us hyper connected but under bonded, creeping up so slowly that many of us haven’t realised what we’re missing;Why the quality of connection matters more than the quantity; the importance of shared experiences and getting beyond small talk into more meaningful conversation;How the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement is instrumental in protecting our children’s social health, and mental health more broadly;The importance of identifying your own social needs and being intentional about wiring your world to meet them.Jenny’s three Key Encouragements to Leaders:Reflect on your own social needs and be intentional in steering your life to meet themHave the courage to get beyond small talk into more meaningful conversations and make time together countIf you have children, help them meet their social needs by setting healthy screen boundariesAbout Jenny:Jenny Latham works as an independent Executive Coach, helping senior leaders (particularly across Government), to navigate their careers with a specialism in ‘what next’?She made the move to freelance coaching in July 2023 following 16 years at EY, firstly client facing as a Management Consultant and then as a People, Market and Operations Director, working with the Consulting Leadership team to run the business. She was also part of the EY Professional Coaches network, supporting senior talent to develop.She discovered coaching in 2020 and was increasingly drawn to a career which has helping people at the forefront and with a focus on solving more human societal challenges.She has a deep passion for all things social health & connection. One of the reasons she loves coaching is the opportunity to help people put their masks down, to have a meaningful conversation and to connect with who they are and what they want.She’s an active volunteer in her local community with the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement. She wants to see a society where real human to human friendship, belonging and tribe can flourish and this means using technology very intentionally.To get in touch with Jenny, to find out more about her, and about the Smart Phone Free Childhood movement:LinkedIn: Jenny LathamWebsites: www.jennylatham.com and www.smartphonefreechildhood.orgSome of Jenny’s favourite books on connection:Lost Connections: Johann HariThe Art of Gathering: Priya ParkerLet’s Talk (How to have better conversations): Nihal ArthanayakeTogether: Vivek MurthyTalk To Your Boys: Joanna Schroeder, Christopher PepperThank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.comAnd if you would like to join us on one of our Walking Partnerships days, please do get in touch with me.A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.

February 24, 202635 min

Can business be a path to wholeness? - a conversation with Patrick Andrews, lawyer and co-founder of Yoak

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:My guest today is Patrick Andrews, lawyer and co-founder with Erica Neve of Yoak. He is author of The Incomplete Circle - Rethinking Business from the Inside Out, published in 2025.In our conversation Patrick offers valuable insights into:Participation - real change only happens when we move from observers to participants.Wholeness - what it means to lead, organise and make decisions from a sense of interconnectedness rather than separation.Flow - How individuals and organisations flourish when effort, skill and purpose align.In our conversation we explore some of the following questions: Participation: What does it mean to move from being an observer into becoming a participant? What happens when we choose to become a participant? What are some of the steps towards moving from being an observer to a participant in business and organisations?Wholeness: In Patrick’s wonderful book - The Incomplete Circle he writes about the dance of wholeness, and how leadership is a practice not a position; and that leading involves deep listening, trusting and creating structures that are encouraging of interconnectedness rather than separation. What are some of the challenges to doing this, and how can we as leaders, and people in business develop this practice? What is the impact on decision making when we do this? What do we need to pay attention to that will help us?Flow: We often talk about ‘going with the flow’ in our lives, and what it feels like to be in the flow when everything feels aligned. What can we learn from our bodies, and from nature about flow? What happens to individuals and organisations when effort, skill and purpose align? How can we get into the flow, and what is the impact on people, on business?Patrick’s three Key Encouragements to Leaders:Listening to yourself including and especially to your body.Listening to others - particularly critics and to the quieter, often unheard, voices.Listening to the universe. Nature is our first and best teacher.To connect, follow and find out more about Patrick:LinkedIn: Patrick AndrewsWebsite: yoak.ukBook: The Incomplete Circle. Available on Amazon or here.Thank you:To listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

February 3, 202642 min

How can we help leaders to be successful through times of transition and change? A conversation with Marisa Kismul, Senior Vice President Human Resources, Civil Airframe, GKN Aerospace

ABOUT THIS EPISODEIn our conversation Marisa offers valuable insights into:Supporting change and transition for successHelping people be their bestThe link between engagement, development and performanceEquity and fairness in leading change and transitionMarisa’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders:It sounds so simple but really get to know your peopleGreat people and talent come in different forms – there isn’t a single formulaTake time to think about how life can / will change for you and what you want from it and what you might need to do differently or learn. Don’t put things off! And never give up on what you wantTo connect, follow and find out more about Marisa:LinkedIn: Marisa KismulThank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, to do go our website www.collaborationequation.com.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter, and podcast and do follow me on LinkedIn.A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.If you are not already please do subscribe to the podcast, review and share it.I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

January 13, 202634 min

A Roadmap for Navigating Life’s Biggest Challenges - a conversation with Lulu Minns, Author of The Genius Wheel®

ABOUT THIS EPISODEToday’s guest is Lulu Minns, Fifth Dimension (5D) Teacher and author of The Genius Wheel®.In our conversation Lulu offers valuable insights into:Understanding and aligning with your personal growth cycleLeading from authenticity and claiming your unique geniusIntegrating natural seasonal rhythms with personal and professional growthSupporting women’s wellbeing and empowerment in leadershipLulu’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders and Listeners:Slow down and tune in.Commitment to your creative power, exceptional intelligence or natural ability.Look back.About LuluI am a 5D teacher and thought leader who helps individuals and organisations understand and align with the deeper patterns that shape personal and collective growth. My body of work, The Genius Wheel®, developed over a decade, explores how consciousness evolves through natural 7-year cycles — a framework that offers clarity, perspective and direction through times of change and transformation.Working from a 5D perspective means seeing beyond surface-level events to recognise the energetic and emotional layers influencing them. I support female entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders to interpret these shifts with awareness and purpose.My approach blends practical action with multidimensional insight, providing a bridge between inner evolution and real-world impact. Through 6-weekly empowerment circles and bi-annual retreats, I help women navigate their unique 7-year journey — providing a roadmap to navigate life’s big transitions. If you don’t already have a copy of The Genius Wheel, you can get one at thegeniuswheel.com and use the discount code FRIENDS25 for a discount. To connect with Lulu follow and learn more about her and her amazing work:LinkedIn: Lulu MinnsWebsite: thegeniuswheel.comInstagram: @thegeniuswheelYouTube: @thegeniuswheelPodcast: She Rebel RadioSubstack: @luluminnsThank youTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend go to my website, www.annitownend.com; to listen to Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ with Lucy Kidd and I, do go to our website www.collaborationequation.com.A big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn. I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

December 16, 202533 min

From Inside the Kitchen to Inside Government - a conversation with Mark Burden, Senior Civil Servant

ABOUT THIS EPISODEToday’s guest is, Senior Civil Servant, Mark Burden. In our conversation Mark offers valuable insights into:How presenteeism is not about visibility The importance of seeking feedbackDisability and the art of the possibleAnd how everyone is integral to achieving the “thing”Mark’s Three Key Encouragements to Leaders and Listeners:Be comfortable in not knowing the answer but having the knowledge to connect peopleMistakes are great - learn from them rather than fearing them. It is an opportunity to move from fear to opportunityTell the story, explain the why and if possible the who and the when! The what bit is then quite easy! Connect with Mark:LinkedIn: Mark BurdenTo listen to other Leaders in Conversation with me Anni Townend: Go to my website, www.annitownend.comA big thank you to SHMOGUS Media for the wonderful production and marketing of the podcast with Louisa Penny, from Penny Writing.To contact me Anni Townend do email me on anni@annitownend.com visit my website www.annitownend.com, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn.  I look forward to connecting with you, thank you for listening.

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Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend

About the show

Listen to episodes

What Makes Us Truly Human in an AI World?

Can you love your team, and love to win? - A conversation with Yasmin O’Neal, Senior Director for Global Brand at DECIEM

How do you keep showing up when everything is shifting? A conversation with Erin Rogers, Founder of ERA Collective, Executive Coach, and Leadership Development Partner.

What role should today’s leaders play in shaping the marketers of tomorrow? A conversation with Susie Partridge, round the world sailor and founder of Blue Feathers

In all the noise, how can we be more present for the people we lead and love? A conversation with Sally-Anne Airey, leadership coach, founder of Skilful Leaders, author of &apos;Mindful Command - the way of the evolving leader&apos;, and podcast host of Fearless Forward.

How do we get our human needs met in a digital world? - A conversation with Jenny Latham, Executive Coach

Can business be a path to wholeness? - a conversation with Patrick Andrews, lawyer and co-founder of Yoak

How can we help leaders to be successful through times of transition and change? A conversation with Marisa Kismul, Senior Vice President Human Resources, Civil Airframe, GKN Aerospace

A Roadmap for Navigating Life’s Biggest Challenges - a conversation with Lulu Minns, Author of The Genius Wheel®

From Inside the Kitchen to Inside Government - a conversation with Mark Burden, Senior Civil Servant

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In all the noise, how can we be more present for the people we lead and love? A conversation with Sally-Anne Airey, leadership coach, founder of Skilful Leaders, author of 'Mindful Command - the way of the evolving leader', and podcast host of Fearless Forward.