LEAP Listens

Hosted by Sara MacGregor and Roger Cayless

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Jun 2026

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About the show

LEAP Listens is a bitesize podcast hosted by Sara MacGregor and Roger Cayless who are both leaders in Employer Branding, Candidate Experience and Recruitment Marketing. In this ongoing series of podcasts they tackle client and industry themes and along the way host expert guests who provide opinion, stories and advice on the world of ‘people communications’.

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 9324 min

Why employee surveys only tell half the story of workplace culture with Dr Alex Gapud

In this episode of LEAP Listens, Sara and Roger are joined by organisational anthropologist Dr Alex Gapud to explore what organisations can learn when they look beyond surveys, spreadsheets and engagement scores. Drawing on his work studying workplace cultures from the inside, Alex explains why understanding people's lived experiences is essential for building authentic employee value propositions that employees genuinely recognise and trust.The conversation explores the gap between what organisations think employees value and what people actually experience day to day. Alex shares why qualitative research can uncover insights that numbers alone often miss, and why the most effective EVPs are built around real human stories rather than assumptions made in the boardroom. LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

May 26, 2026Episode 9223 min

Why the future of work needs a different kind of organisation with Perry Timms

In this episode of LEAP Listens, Sara and Roger are joined by internationally recognised HR thinker and transformation expert Perry Timms to explore the idea of the 'polymorphic organisation' a business designed to adapt, shift and evolve as the world around it changes. Drawing on decades of experience across HR, organisational design and change, Perry explains why companies need to balance the demands of today with the realities of tomorrow, and why rigid structures are no longer enough.From agile working and self-managed teams to future skills, leadership and employer brand, the conversation explores how organisations can become more adaptive without losing stability.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

May 11, 2026Episode 9127 min

Why employee engagement scores are broken with Howard Krais

In this episode of LEAP Listens, Sara and Roger are joined by communications and change specialist Howard Krais to challenge one of the workplace’s biggest assumptions: that employee engagement scores actually tell us anything useful. Drawing on decades of experience in internal communications and organisational change, Howard explains why leaders obsess over metrics that rarely lead to action, and why trust is the thing organisations should really be measuring.From survey fatigue to people-centred change, Howard shares a more practical approach to listening at work, one built on transparency, follow-through and making employees feel genuinely heard. The conversation explores why most surveys fail to drive meaningful change, how organisations can close the feedback loop properly, and why listening is becoming one of the most important leadership skills in modern business.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

March 30, 2026Episode 9022 min

Why PR could be your missing channel in employer brand with Jules Fisher

PR isn’t usually the first channel that comes to mind in employer branding, but maybe it should be.In this episode of LEAP Listens, Jules Fisher from Merchant joins Sara MacGregor and Roger Cayless to explore how PR can play a much bigger role in shaping how organisations are seen by potential candidates, especially those who aren’t actively job hunting.From uncovering stories already sitting within your business to building credibility through media, thought leadership, and even LLM visibility, the conversation looks at how PR can help create a more consistent, compelling employer brand beyond your careers site.If you’re only thinking about job ads and social when it comes to talent attraction, this one might change your perspective.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

March 9, 2026Episode 8936 min

How AI can make workplaces psychologically safer with Barbara Phillips

Psychological safety is often talked about as a cornerstone of healthy workplace culture. But what does it actually look like in practice, and why do so many organisations still struggle to create it?In this episode of LEAP Listens, Barbara Phillips, founder of Brownstone Communications, joins Sara MacGregor and Roger Cayless to explore how AI could help employees, managers and HR navigate workplace culture, rights and responsibilities more confidently.Barbara shares the thinking behind EDI Guru, an AI assistant trained on UK equality and employment law that allows users to confidentially explore workplace scenarios, understand policies, and better prepare for difficult conversations. The tool aims to help people access the information they need without fear of judgement or retaliation. From promotion decisions to tricky workplace conversations, the episode looks at how better access to the right information could help people navigate challenges at work with more confidence. LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

February 23, 2026Episode 8823 min

How to get Internal Comms crisis-ready in any organisation with Sarah Farrow

Crisis rarely gives you notice.In this episode of LEAP Listens, communications consultant Sarah Farrow joins Sara MacGregor and Roger Cayless to share what internal comms teams need in place before the worst happens.Drawing on her experience leading communications through the sudden closure of a government-funded organisation, Sarah explains how to prepare for the crisis you hope never comes, from risk mapping and scenario planning to keeping knowledge from becoming currency.With just 24 hours between finding out and telling the entire organisation, this is a candid conversation about honesty and leadership, because in a crisis, it’s not perfect wording that people remember, it’s how you made them feel. LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

February 9, 2026Episode 8728 min

Turning internal conferences into culture shifting moments with Abi Humayun

We’ve all been to internal conferences that promised transformation… but delivered coffee, croissants, and one too many PowerPoint slides. This week, we’re joined by Abi Humayun, co-founder of People Activation, who’s on a mission to change that.Abi shares how her team creates internal events that don’t just engage the room, they change minds and shift behaviour. Think: employee-led storytelling, co-created content, even a live rap battle. From building belief before people walk through the door to sustaining momentum long after it ends, this episode is packed with proof that internal comms can be as bold, human, and high-impact as any external campaign.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

November 24, 2025Episode 8621 min

The transformation within: Finding your true self through career change with Deon Pillay (and Charlie)

In this episode of LEAP Listens, Sara and Roger speak with Deon Pillay, an award-winning marketing leader and long-time diversity advocate, about what happens when success stops feeling meaningful. Dion shares why he left a secure corporate role to start a coaching practice in response to a deeper sense of misalignment.He walks through the mindset shift that made change possible, the questions that helped him act, and a simple framework for building a plan that balances purpose with reality. From finances, boundaries and values-led work, it’s an honest look at what it takes to change direction, and how integrity can become a habit, not just a principle.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

October 20, 2025Episode 8524 min

What every talent team gets wrong about candidate profiling with Steve Betts

In this episode of LEAP Listens, Sara and Roger are joined by seasoned TA specialist Steve Betts to unpack a part of recruitment we rarely talk about candidate profiling.From outdated job specs to one-click apply chaos, Steve explores how hiring teams can go beyond the CV to truly understand who they’re looking for and how to find them. He shares why profiles need to evolve with the role, how to build them in partnership with hiring managers, and why too many filters (or too few) could be costing you the best talent.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk

October 6, 2025Episode 8430 min

The future of internal communication with Jennifer Sproul

In this episode of LEAP Listens, Sara and Roger speak to Jennifer Sproul, CEO of the Institute of Internal Communication, about how internal comms is evolving, and what that means for organisations today.Jen shares practical insight on how the function is shifting from content delivery to creating meaningful connection, and why listening is becoming just as important as messaging. They discuss the impact of AI, the challenge of channel overload, and what good internal communication looks like in a post-COVID, hybrid-working world.If you're rethinking how to engage employees more effectively, this is a conversation worth tuning into.LEAP Listens is brought to you by LEAP Create, an award-winning people communications agency. Find out more at leapcreate.co.uk