Working For Progress

Hosted by Dani Trudeau

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Working for Progress is a podcast about work, wellbeing, and what it means to live a meaningful life. Hosted by social entrepreneur Dani Trudeau and rooted in the community of Tribe Porty in Edinburgh, each season explores a theme, The Body , through honest, unhurried conversations with people who are shaping their working lives with intention. These aren't interviews about career advice or productivity hacks. They're deeper conversations about values, identity, creativity, burnout, purpose, and the quiet grit behind the work people do. If you love podcasts like On Being or The Pause , and you're asking bigger questions about how you want to work and live, this is for you. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to episodes

37 recent

July 31, 2026Episode 140 min

Caroline Gibb on Grief, Chronic Pain, and an Unpredictable Body

Caroline Gibb is a Community Development Lead working in palliative care, supporting individuals and communities through dying, caring, and grief. In this conversation, she talks with Dani about what it means to hold emotionally demanding work while living with chronic illness and pain. The conversation is also about a body that behaves unpredictably, never quite the same from one day to the next. They talk about the strange gifts hidden inside perimenopause, the discipline of showing up for other people's grief when your own body has other plans, and what it means to keep working when "listening to your body" isn't a wellness slogan but a daily negotiation. Part of The Body , a season of Working For Progress about how we inhabit ourselves at work. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

February 12, 2026Episode 431 min

Working For Progress with Isobel Mercer: From Rainforest Realisations to Climate Action

Sometimes in life there are defining moments that set us on a path. For Isobel Mercer, one came while riding on the back of a motorbike through miles of decimated palm-oil plantations. When she finally reached the lush rainforest beyond, the stark contrast between destruction and life left an imprint that would shape her future. Originally from Devon, Isobel moved to Edinburgh in 2008 to study politics and quickly fell in love with the city. For more than a decade, she has dedicated her career to climate and nature policy, working to persuade politicians and policymakers to take urgent, evidence-based action on the climate and nature crisis. Today, she leads political engagement in Scotland for Uplift, a non-profit focused on ensuring the UK transitions away from oil and gas in a way that protects workers, communities, and the planet we share. In this WFP conversation, Dani and Isobel explore what drives long-term activism, the balance between urgency and hope, and the personal moments that root us in purpose. A much-loved member of the Tribe Porty community, Isobel is often joined at Tribe by her Jack Russell, Tattie, who has his own fondness for lunchtime walks on the beach. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

January 9, 2026Episode 334 min

Andrea Fraser on Justice, Human Rights, and Staying Human Inside the Law

What does it take to stay human inside powerful legal systems? In this episode of Working For Progress , Dani is joined by Andrea Fraser , a Civil Justice Lawyer at JUSTICE, whose career has spanned employment law, human rights, public inquiries, and some of the most challenging legal cases of our time. Andrea’s path has taken her from early practice at Anderson Strathern, to leading investigations into historic abuse within religious institutions at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, to working alongside Edward Fitzgerald QC at Doughty Street Chambers on international death-penalty appeals before the Privy Council. But this conversation goes beyond CV highlights. Together, Dani and Andrea explore what it means to confront institutional harm without becoming hardened by it, how hope survives inside slow and imperfect systems, and why fairness is not just a legal principle but a deeply human one. It’s a thoughtful, honest reflection on power, accountability, and the quiet determination required to keep pushing for reform. A conversation about law and the people who refuse to give up on it. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

December 2, 2025Episode 226 min

Working For Progress with Liz Gration: Strategy, Story, and Strongwoman Grit

Liz Gration is a freelance marketer specialising in SEO, digital PR, and content writing. She helps businesses of all sizes, from small Edinburgh shops and venues to international retailers, healthcare companies, charities, and environmental organisations, to strengthen their online presence and grow through meaningful digital strategies. A regular speaker at Brighton SEO, Europe’s largest search marketing conference, Liz has also trained hundreds of individuals and businesses in how to communicate with clarity and creativity online. Her work blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of storytelling, connecting data with humanity. Beyond her professional life, Liz is a poet, artist, and competitive strongwoman, reminding us that creativity and strength come in many forms. In this WFP episode, Dani and Liz explore the intersection of art and analytics, what it means to work with integrity in a digital world, and how personal passions shape professional purpose. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

November 4, 2025Episode 139 min

Working For Progress with Gael Drummond: Quiet Power, Bold Impact.

Gael Drummond has been quietly making waves in the social enterprise world, bringing a leadership style that is both tenacious and refreshingly ego-less. With a background in sport and physical activity, she brings the same determination and winning spirit to her work, but channels it in a way that lifts others up rather than seeking the spotlight. As Group CEO of Firstport, Gael leads on governance and strategy across Firstport, Firstfund and FirstImpact. Since joining Firstport in 2014, she has guided the organisation through key developments and, since becoming CEO in 2022, has represented the sector at national and international levels. Passionate about helping people to help others, Gael sees social enterprise as the future and feels privileged to work alongside the Firstport team and inspirational entrepreneurs driving meaningful change every day. Tune in to hear how Gael is leading change with humility, insight, and unwavering belief in the power of people and enterprise to do good. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

October 8, 2025Episode 1028 min

Sonny Ruggiero on Art History, Yoga, and Creating Home in a New Place

Sonny Ruggiero is a yoga teacher, art historian, and community builder who recently joined Tribe Porty as our Community Support Assistant. Originally from California, Sonny moved to Scotland to pursue her PhD in the History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, where her research explored the visual culture of the feminist magazine Spare Rib. In this conversation, Dani and Sonny talk about falling in love with Scotland, the journey of creating home in a new place, and how yoga, mindfulness, and community have guided her along the way. They also explore how creativity and calm can coexist, and how small, shared moments like coffee morning meditations can build a sense of belonging. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

September 9, 2025Episode 935 min

Dr. Jane Booth on Leadership, Boundaries, and Realising What You're Capable Of

In this episode, Dani speaks with Dr. Jane Booth, a leadership development specialist and founder of Opus 29 ., whose PhD-informed, practitioner-led approach helps people lead themselves and others with greater confidence. They explore what good leadership actually looks like from the inside, why boundaries aren't just a self-care buzzword but a professional skill, and what gets in the way of people realising their own potential. A warm, grounding conversation about growth, self-awareness, and the quiet work of becoming a better leader. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

August 19, 2025Episode 743 min

Paul Lambie on Creative Life, Community, and Choosing a Different Kind of Progress

In this episode, Dani speaks with Paul Lambie — writer, designer, poet, and community gatherer, known to many as Poetry Paul and Paul's Props. Paul's path has taken him from the world of TV and film to becoming a full-time stay-at-home dad — a shift that raised bigger questions about identity, creativity, and what progress actually looks like when it doesn't follow a straight line. They talk about why he keeps creating spaces for people to gather — from soup nights in his home to the In Progress Poetry Social at Till's Bookshop — and what words and community have given him that a conventional career couldn't. A warm, funny, and quietly radical conversation about choosing a different kind of working life. Find Paul's substack here . Working for Progress is a podcast from Tribe Porty about work, wellbeing, and living with intention. Hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

April 16, 2025Episode 642 min

Dawn Thomson on Love, Sex, and Learning to Fancy Yourself

In this episode, Dani speaks with Dawn Thomson, energy psychologist, relationships coach, and one of the original TEDxPortobello speakers, about the relationship most of us neglect the most: the one with ourselves. Dawn's work sits at the intersection of love, sex, and self. Her newest project, Fancy Yourself, is an invitation to stop waiting for external validation and start genuinely backing yourself — emotionally, physically, and in the life you want to build. They talk about how to have better relationships, how to recognise when a dynamic has stopped working, and why developing a deep, confident relationship with yourself might be the most important work any of us can do. A warm and honest conversation about self-worth, intimacy, and what it means to truly fancy yourself. Please note: this episode includes discussion of sex and a mention of sexual trauma. Find more about Dawn at dawnthomson.com. Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .

March 5, 2025Episode 530 min

Maureen Evans on Mathematics, Movement, and Finding a Different Kind of Leadership

In this episode, Dani speaks with Maureen Evans, executive coach, Pilates teacher, and founder of two practices built around movement and leadership development. Maureen's path is an unexpected one: from a degree in pure mathematics and a career in risk consulting and audit, to running a wellness studio and coaching leaders across the globe. This conversation begins to explore what drew her from one world to the other, and what movement has taught her that the boardroom couldn't. A quieter, more reflective episode, but one that sits with some interesting questions about the paths we take, the skills we carry across them, and what it means to lead from a place of wholeness. For more about Maureen's work, see below; Coaching - www.thecompleteleader.co.uk Pilates/Movement - www.completemovement.co.uk Working For Progress is hosted by Dani Trudeau and produced by Alice Hudson. We are coming from Tribe Porty , a community coworking space in Portobello, on the coast of Edinburgh. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share, it helps other people find conversations like this one. You can find more about Tribe Porty on Instagram & Facebook and Youtube and LinkedIn. Find Dani's substack at RootedImpact .