The NABS Podcast

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May 2026

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About the show

Honest conversations about mental wellness and more with inspiring people from across the advertising and media industry.

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43 recent

May 27, 2026Episode 4338 min

How to work when your family needs you most – with Xavier Rees

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Xavier Rees is AMV Group CEO and one of our industry’s most formidable leaders. His track record in speaking out about mental wellness is as strong as his outstanding career history, demonstrating clearly how senior leaders can be vocal role models for supporting mental wellness.Xavier has spoken previously about supporting his family through challenging times. In this edition of the podcast, he takes a fresh look at how he supported himself while supported others, and vitally how he navigated a new role while assessing his work/life priorities.Xavier also speaks at length about his experiencing overseeing the recent FCB and AMV BBDO merger. With M&A a hot topic in adland right now, Xavier offers brilliant insights into how and why to act quickly to ensure teams feel welcomed, informed and understood.Key takeaways:The bigger the gap between the reality of your situation and the version you’re trying to portray, the greater the space for mental wellness issues to grow.Know the things that will help you to gain perspective, reduce anxiety and feel capable and make time for them to help you get through tough times.In times of change, for example M&A, what people want is transparency, clarity and an understanding of where things are heading.Resources:NABS Advice Line https://nabs.org.uk/get-help/NABS' TUPE guide https://nabs.org.uk/advice/tupe-guide/Support the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

April 16, 2026Episode 4242 min

How AI Can Support Neurodivergent People at Work

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Rob Beevers is chief effectiveness and analytics officer at MG OMD. He’s also an ADHDer and hugely insightful about AI, especially on how it affects neurodivergent people – and how we can best use AI to create inclusive teams.Rob combines quick-fire thinking with humour and insight, making this a fascinating and non-stop conversation. Rob’s also one of our mentors on NABS’ Walk and Talk event this summer, so sign up and you could chat with Rob in person.Key takeaways:Societal structures often favour neurotypical people, but it’s time to consider that neurodivergence isn’t an accident – it’s evolved on purposeLate-diagnosed ADHD’ers, such as Rob, can struggle with complex emotions around diagnosis, especially if their children are also ADHDReasonable adjustments can very much help in the workplace, but workplaces also need to embrace a culture of inclusion where differences are celebrated and built into working practices AI can be used to tailor workflows that work with people’s needs to boost productivity and job satisfaction.Resources:Rob’s Substack NABS Advice Line NABS coaching NABS workshops NABS Walk and Talk Support the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

February 16, 2026Episode 4130 min

How sharing a challenge showed the strength in community - with James Cornish

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?James Cornish is SVP of international sales and partnerships at Vivo. He’s also a fitness enthusiast who turned his passion into a brilliant community fundraiser for NABS, bringing together people from across adland to compete in the ATHX Games fitness challenge to raise much-needed funds.In this inspirational chat, James – still recovering after undertaking his 24-hour fitness challenge – discusses the brilliant impact of fundraising, not just in terms of money raised, but also on the industry community who come together to take part.Key takeaways:Movement can help you to keep on top of your mental wellness, whether that’s CrossFit or taking a stroll.If you have a passion that you can turn into a fundraiser, other adlanders will want to join you.Tap into your contacts when you want to organise something – you’ll receive lots of help.ResourcesGot an idea for a community fundraiser for NABS? Email our friendly team at: events@nabs.org.ukNABS x ATHX GamesNABS Stranger than SummerNABS Walk and TalkWhat's on at NABS?Support the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

January 21, 2026Episode 4028 min

How I created a community for working parents in advertising

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Charlotte Coughlan is managing partner at Leo UK and a mum to two young children. Which makes her super busy – yet impressively she’s still found the time and energy to create Parental Guidance, a mentoring scheme for working parents across adland.Charlotte is passionate about helping other working parents, having been through the mill herself.During Charlotte’s second maternity leave, she was unexpectedly made redundant when the agency she loved working for shut down. In shock, and robbed of the chance to enjoy her last mat leave, Charlotte spent the time juggling the demands of a newborn baby and a four-year-old with finding a new job.Happily, Charlotte is now working at Leo’s, where she founded an internal network, Parentland, to support fellow parents. Wanting to take this a step further, Charlotte has created Parental Guidance (love the name) to connect working parents across the industry for support, advice and cheerleading. In this episode, Charlotte shares:The crushing effects of losing a job during maternity leave – an all-too-common experienceWhat working parents can bring to their businessesHow mentoring can support parents’ mental wellnessResourcesParentlandParental GuidanceNABS Advice LineNABS Walk and TalkWho’s Your MommaSupport the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

December 10, 2025Episode 3940 min

Merry Christmas, it's the Yay List - with James White, Michelle Sarpong and Sue Todd

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Get cosy, festive and fundraisy as we celebrate NABS' amazing donor community with the publication of the Yay List, in partnership with Campaign - this year's industry list to be on. Grab an eggnog and a mince pie and settle down for a celebratory chat with top NABS supporters James White and Michelle Sarpong, along with Sue Todd, CEO, NABS. 'Yule' get tips for supporting yourself from now until the New Year from our trio of brilliant industry leaders. Key takeaways include:It's OK to party strategically, or even say no to events if you need to rechargeWhy NABS' donor community is fundamental to the industry's mental wellnessHow your organisation can avoid being on Santa's naughty list by supporting NABSHave yourself a wonderful festive break and we'll see you next year for more intimate, supportive and inspiring conversationsNABS Yay ListNABS Advice LineNABS Stranger than SummerNABS workshopsNABS speed mentoring Support the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

December 3, 2025Episode 3841 min

From burnout to mental wellness advocate - with Bally and Annabel McCaffrey

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Steven Ballinger, known best to the industry as Bally, is chief commercial officer at Astus. He is also a huge advocate for mental wellness after experiencing a breakdown. It's a turnaround for somebody who was raised to carry on, no matter what: he now checks in on himself and his team daily and encourages us all to do the same.Also joining us for this episode is Annabel McCaffrey, head of support, NABS. This episode is part of our Yay List mini series. The Yay List celebrates the brilliant donors who power NABS' purpose, enabling us to carry out our mission - to advance the mental wellness of thousands of people in our industry each year.Key takeaways:There is strength in vulnerability - talking about what's going on for you emotionally.Checking in with yourself is essential and simple - ask yourself daily, how am I feeling?Managers can be a listening ear for their teams and that's how best to give emotional support -the next step is to signpost to NABS.ResourcesNABS Yay ListNABS Walk and TalkNABS All EarsNABS Managers' MindsetsNABS Advice LineSupport the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

November 25, 2025Episode 3747 min

How to lower the stress around pitching (and work) with Rachel Peace

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Rachel Peace is the MD of Hearts and Science and a proud dyslexic and neurodivergent leader. Rachel is also, excitingly, the new chair of Fast Forward, NABS' flagship training course that teaches people how to pitch in real time.In this episode, Rachel shares her experience of burnout - a hot topic across adland right now. To this day, Rachel has an active practice to take care of herself to prevent a return of burnout, and she's passionate about modelling the way as a leader to help others do the same. Key takeaways:When you need help, get your ego out of the way and ask for itKnow what your red flags are - these are the markers that help you realise when you are strugglingPitching should not be a mystery - often the fear of the unknown causes extra stress to those new to pitchingFast Forward is a brilliant and energising programme for participants and mentors alike - check it out!Resources NABS Fast ForwardNABS Managers' Mindsets NABS therapy referral NABS' support for neurodivergent people NABS therapy referral NABS' support for neurodivergent people NABS' support for neurodivergent people Support the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

November 19, 2025Episode 3634 min

How to survive Q4, from parties to workload, with Davina Barker

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Davina Barker, sales director at DCM, gives both clarity and good vibes in this relatable and uplifting conversation. Davina discusses how family life can be a stress as well as a joy; how to reframe work to your children to get them engaged in the joy of having a job; and why and how she and DCM are such great supporters of NABS. As a previous Campaign 40 Over 40 winner, Davina also gives her take on ageism in the industry and how adland could open up even more to older cohorts. Key takeaways:A mental wellness challenge doesn't have to be a huge event - it could be managing the ongoing demands of family life.Reframing work as an escape from challenges at home can be healthy and helpful - you don't have to have all of the answers, all of the time, and your brain needs a break to come up with creative solutions.Be wise about which events you'll attend in Q4 - a strategy is everything to help you use your energy and time well.LinksDCMNABS Walk and TalkNABS x ATHX challengeNABS Managers' MindsetsCampaign 40 Over 40Donate to NABS' Christmas Giving AppealSupport the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

November 5, 2025Episode 3539 min

How to embrace a better life after burnout - with Hamish Nicklin

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Hamish Nicklin is co-founder and CEO of Agent Flow, who build AI solutions that help businesses to grow.Hamish Nicklin is a life force and one of the industry’s best-known names, having held senior positions at Dentsu Media UK, Guardian Media and Google. He is also a trustee of NABS and pulls no punches when describing how vital NABS is to adland, and why everybody needs to donate to keep NABS’ vital work going.Hamish is exuberant throughout, even when discussing the burnout that led to him reevaluating his life and ultimately changing him forever.If you want to feel cheered up and supported, this is the episode for you.Key takeaways:Your upbringing can contribute to burnout – at some point, the values you were taught as a child may crash into the realties you’re dealing with as an adult. Therapy can help you to unlock what’s going on.Take the time to find the right therapy for you – for Hamish, it was about finding practical solutions after understanding his past.Don’t fear AI. Instead, learn to vibe code and play around with the technology.Resources:NABS Managers’ MindsetsNABS therapy referralNABS Stranger than SummerThe Yay ListSupport the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube

October 22, 2025Episode 3434 min

Being authentic and Gen Z in adland - with Beth Sutherland

Got a question for The NABS Podcast?Beth Sutherland is associate director of programmatic services at Essence MediaCom and vice-president of Bloom North, the organisation for women in adland in the north of England. In this insightful conversation, Beth discusses the mental wellness transformation behind her successful career, going from someone reaching to external validation to someone working for goals that align with her true values. A young and successful adlander, Beth also gives insight into how to strengthen relationships between Gen Z and more senior colleagues, as well as the power of community in supporting mental wellness and personal and professional success.Key takeawaysTherapy can be transformative for personal growth, even in the early stages of your career.Gen Z prioritise mental wellness and learn effectively through social media: when you understand how to put this into practice, you can build bridges with this cohort.It's okay to be sensitive and emotional in the workplace.ResourcesBloom NorthNABS All EarsNABS Managers' MindsetsNABS Speed MentoringNABS therapy referralNABS Walk and TalkSupport the showWe are NABS. And we're here for you - for the great stuff, the tough stuff and everything in between. As an independent charity, we're set on advancing the mental wellness of our industry and helping everyone find their way forward - wherever they're starting from. 👋 Need a helping hand? We're right here. 🌻 Group workshops or in-house training? Sign up to our sessions. 🤝 Industry events or networking? Check out our calendar. 📞 Sounding board on promotions, redundancies, parental leave - life in general? Here's how we can help.MoreFind out how you can support NABSSign up to the NABS newsletterFollow NABS on LinkedInWatch NABS Talks on YouTube