🎙️ Inspiring Leadership Podcast - New Episode

James Stevenson has dedicated his life to service and leadership. A former Brigadier with 36 years in the British Army, James commanded The Royal Scots and served across Northern Ireland, Bosnia, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the wider Middle East, gaining deep experience in NATO and multinational operations.

Following his military career, he became a Director at Deloitte, driving digital transformation in Global Tax & Legal, leading veteran initiatives, and shaping leadership development at Deloitte University. Today, James is Managing Director Europe at DscvryAI, helping businesses navigate the promise and challenges of artificial intelligence.

Beyond work, James is a family man, outdoor enthusiast, and aspiring woodworker. His journey from soldier to corporate leader to tech pioneer offers invaluable lessons on resilience, adaptability, and purpose. 🌍

Tune in now to hear James’ remarkable story and his take on what truly makes leadership inspiring.

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Inspiring Leadership Podcast with Kathleen Lucente 🎙️

Kathleen Lucente is the founder and CEO of Red Fan Communications in Austin, Texas. She helps B2B tech companies tell their story, secure funding, and reach growth goals with the support of her team of senior communications experts.

Before Red Fan, Kathleen led Asia Pacific communications at JPMorgan Chase, advising the Chairman and Management Committee on major deals and handling crisis communications during 9/11 and SARS. She built a team across 15 countries and managed communications for JPMorgan’s $500M+ technology investment portfolio.

She has also worked at IBM Research, highlighting innovations in computing and nanotechnology, and at Peppercom, where she grew the technology practice from $400K to $4.5M annually and won the PRSA Big Apple Award 🏆.

Tune in now to hear her insights on leadership, strategy, and communications in fast-changing industries.

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🔍 Neil Basu QPM – Leadership, Justice & the Courage to Speak Truth

From a Battersea beat bobby to the UK’s top counter-terrorism officer, Neil Basu QPM has spent three decades confronting the most complex challenges in policing, leadership, and national security. As Assistant Commissioner Specialist Operations, Neil worked alongside MI5 to lead the UK’s response to 12 terrorist attacks and over 600 arrests. But beyond the headlines lies a deeper mission: to reform policing from within.

Now retired and the author of his powerful 2025 memoir Turmoil, Neil pulls no punches on the legacy of institutional racism, the toll on mental health, and the urgent need for integrity and inclusion in leadership. With honesty, humanity, and hope, he calls for change in a system he still believes in.

🎙️ Tune in now to hear how a lifelong public servant turned whistleblower, advocate, and truth-teller continues to inspire courage, reform, and real leadership in the face of adversity.

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🎙️ Brian J. Esposito — a powerhouse of innovation and leadership — joins The Inspiring Leadership Podcast! Ranked among the Top 10 CEOs globally in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 by The World CEO Rankings Awards, Brian is the visionary founder and CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises (EIE) — a global empire of 115+ entities and 200+ joint ventures spanning 25+ industries.

Honored as one of the Top 100 People in Real Estate (2021) and Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs (2022), Brian’s journey is a masterclass in strategic vision, resilience, and sustainable success. His leadership brilliance shines through in his current role as CEO of Diamond Lake Minerals, Inc. ($DLMI), where he transformed the company from a $1M valuation to an incredible $413M market cap, elevating its share price from $0.35 to $13.00 through bold innovation and strategic partnerships.

Tune in now to be inspired by a true visionary who turns ideas into empires.

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This week on the Inspiring Leadership Podcast: Meet Wing Commander Jacqui Wilkinson, a decorated senior leader in the British Royal Air Force, with over 20 years of service—and a powerful story of resilience, leadership, and transformation. 🎖️

Beyond her military accomplishments, Jacqui is a certified hypnotherapist, mindset coach, international speaker, and fitness instructor, dedicated to advancing trauma-informed leadership and mental fitness. She serves on the UK Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee and is a gold medallist in the military heptathlon, having led the RAF Athletics Ladies’ Team to four consecutive Inter-Service Championship titles.

Holding four postgraduate degrees, including an MSc on trauma and socialisation, Jacqui blends deep academic insight with lived experience. In her memoir, Turning the Tables on Trauma, she shares her journey of surviving childhood adversity and empowers others to transform their pain into strength.

Jacqui isn’t just a leader—she’s a warrior for healing, a voice for the unheard, and a guiding light for those on the path to recovery.

Tune in now for an inspiring conversation on courage, compassion, and the true power of turning scars into strength.

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🌍 Kevin Godlington joined the army at 16 after a challenging childhood in state care. He served in the Royal Engineers, Special Forces, and the FCDO, operating globally before turning to entrepreneurship.

He co‑founded Planting Naturals, creating the world’s largest organic palm oil cooperative, and later founded a private equity firm supporting entrepreneurs from low socio‑economic backgrounds. In 2022, he launched The Rewilding Company, restoring over 25,000 hectares of rainforest and mangrove ecosystems.

A world‑record mountaineer, licensed pilot, and endurance racer, Kevin leads through action and vision. His story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless drive with leadership rooted in lived experience, service, and a bold vision for global impact. 🧭

Tune in to hear how one man’s mission to rewrite his story is helping rewrite the future for thousands more.

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🚀 Elke Anderl – Leading with Purpose, Passion & Innovation

As Chief Commercial Officer at T-Systems International, Elke Anderl brings over two decades of leadership across telecoms, tech, and global markets. Since stepping into her executive role in 2024, she’s been driving bold growth, customer-centric innovation, and a future-forward approach to digital transformation across Deutsche Telekom’s B2B units.

From leading global sales to transforming service experiences, Elke’s leadership is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and strategic clarity. With international experience in Japan and Singapore, she shares how cultural awareness, consistent communication, and choosing your attitude consciously can turn customers—and teams—into true advocates. 💡

A champion of female leadership and diversity, Elke offers invaluable insights into what it takes to lead with vision in a fast-changing world.

Tune in now to discover how connection, innovation, and mindset can redefine modern leadership.

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Franklyn Butler is a trusted voice in family business, corporate governance, and the Bahamian capital markets . He began his career at the Milo Butler group, helping transform his family’s company and leading the transition from the second generation to the third. That journey was later featured on the cover of Family Business Magazine.

Today Franklyn is President and CEO of Cable Bahamas. He also chairs AML Foods, the largest supermarket chain in the Bahamas, and Be Aliv, where he helped launch the country’s second mobile operator and built the ALIV brand. He serves on the boards of Arawak Port Development, RBC Royal Bank Bahamas, and the Bahamas Property Fund.

Franklyn is the founder of the Butler Legacy Foundation, a member of the Young Presidents Organization, and co-host of the award-winning Butler Legacy Podcast 🎙️. Outside of business, he is a husband, father, and mentor who loves reading, traveling, and spending time on the water.

Tune in now to hear his story of leadership, legacy, and building businesses that last across generations.

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🌍 Vishal Dalal – Leading Global Change Through Innovation

From McKinsey to Citibank to Barclays, and now as Global CEO of Pismo, Vishal Dalal has built a career at the forefront of digital finance and tech transformation. With over 25 years of experience in core banking and card systems, Vishal brings deep expertise and a truly global perspective to modern leadership.

Based in London and newly appointed in May 2025, Vishal shares how purpose-driven leadership, cross-cultural insight, and constant innovation are shaping the future of fintech and financial inclusion. 💡

Tune in now to hear how a leader grounded in both engineering and empathy is helping redefine what global leadership looks like.

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🎙️ New Episode: Leadership with Purpose – Colonel Simon Hutchinson MBE

From front-line deployments in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, and Afghanistan to strategic roles at the Pentagon and the City of London, Simon Hutchinson MBE has lived a life of leadership, service, and resilience. In this episode, Simon shares the powerful principles that have shaped his journey — from his Quaker-inspired leadership values to commanding signal regiments, advising on billion-dollar defence programs, and supporting charitable governance at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Company.

His story is a masterclass in humility, integrity, and putting people first. 💡

Tune in now to hear why, after all the accolades, Simon’s greatest success is still: “Sandra and the boys.” 🎧

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🎙️ Damian McKinney – Leading with a Commando Mindset

From elite military missions to boardroom transformations, Damian McKinney brings a rare blend of leadership, grit, and global business insight. After an 18-year career with the UK Royal Marine Commandos—earning an MBE and rising to Lieutenant Colonel by age 35—Damian transitioned into the corporate world, founding the global consultancy McKinney Rogers. He’s since led major transformations for world-class brands like Walmart, Diageo, Pfizer, and Stoli Group.

Now, as Founder and CEO of DioniLife, Damian is on a mission to revolutionize the beverage industry with a bold, non-alcoholic portfolio. His bestselling books Commando Way and Commando Entrepreneur capture his results-driven leadership philosophy, forged under fire and proven in business.

🔥 Don’t miss this powerful episode on resilience, innovation, and building success under pressure.

Tune in now and get inspired!

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🎙️ On this episode of the Inspiring Leadership Podcast, we’re honoured to welcome The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable — economist, author, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

From his early days in the Kenya Treasury and the Foreign Office to advising on global trade, climate policy, and sustainable development, Sir Vince’s career has spanned diplomacy, academia, business, and politics. 📚

He reflects on leadership in government and global institutions, the future of economic policy, and how his experiences — from Shell to the House of Commons — shaped his views on resilience, reform, and responsibility. We also discuss his prolific writing career, including his upcoming book Eclipsing the West.

🌍 With wisdom from decades at the intersection of politics, economics, and global affairs, this is a conversation not to be missed.

🎧 Tune in now for insight, candour, and inspiration from one of Britain’s most influential public thinkers.

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In this compelling episode of the Inspiring Leadership Podcast, we speak with Chris Piehota, a retired FBI executive who spent nearly 25 years leading high-stakes global security operations at the highest levels of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence.

As one of only eight senior executives in the FBI, Chris led complex national security programs and oversaw cutting-edge technical operations — often under intense pressure and scrutiny. Today, through his firm YF5 Solutions, LLC, he brings that same strategic mindset and calm leadership to organizations worldwide, helping them strengthen performance, leadership, and long-term success.

With a doctorate in Human Performance Improvement, Chris shares powerful insights on navigating risk, leading through crisis, and building resilient teams — whether in national security or in the corporate boardroom.

🎧 Tune in to discover what true leadership looks like when lives are on the line, and how those lessons can drive excellence in any organization.

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🎙️ New episode alert from the Inspiring Leadership Podcast

This week, we're joined by Anthony Scaramucci — founder of SkyBridge Capital and SALT, co-host of The Rest Is Politics US and Open Book, and author of six books including The Little Book of Bitcoin.

From his early days at Goldman Sachs to founding Oscar Capital and serving briefly as White House Communications Director, Anthony's journey spans finance, politics, and crypto innovation. Ranked among the top influencers in blockchain and recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, his story is one of bold leadership and constant reinvention.

💼 A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a powerful voice in global finance, Anthony brings sharp insights and candid reflections on what it means to lead with resilience.

Tune in now for an unmissable conversation! 🎧

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Zsuzsanna Recsey is a dynamic executive leader with a proven track record of driving transformation and growth across global corporations and purpose-led businesses. As CEO of Standing on Giants, she has tripled the company’s revenue, expanded its services, and grown the team from 25 to over 70 — all while fostering an inclusive culture of innovation and collaboration 🚀.

With senior roles at Barclays and Citibank, Zsuzsanna brings deep expertise in strategic development, corporate governance, and stakeholder management. A passionate advocate for B Corp principles, she led Standing on Giants to full certification — reflecting her commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices 🌍.

Armed with an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Zsuzsanna is also known for her impactful coaching and mentoring, empowering teams to reach their full potential. Off the clock, she recharges through squash, theatre, and travel, embracing a well-rounded approach to leadership and life.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Zsuzsanna’s inspiring journey, leadership insights, and her vision for purpose-driven business on The Inspiring Leadership Podcast.

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🎙️ In this powerful episode of the Inspiring Leadership Podcast, we welcome Sam Smith — trailblazing entrepreneur, board advisor, and the founding CEO of finnCap, the City’s first female-led stockbroking firm.

Over 24 years, Sam built what is now Cavendish Financial into a £50m+ investment bank, backing hundreds of high-growth companies. Her leadership journey is defined by empathy, inclusion, and purpose-driven governance — themes she explores in her bestselling book The Secret Sauce.

Sam reflects on what it takes to scale a business while staying true to your values, the mindset behind lasting success, and how to navigate critical pivot points with resilience. She shares the vision behind The SuperScalers, a global initiative she co-founded to help underrepresented founders grow their businesses from £1m to £50m+, and how this movement is shifting the narrative of who gets to build big.

As a respected non-executive director across multiple sectors and a passionate advocate for equity in entrepreneurship, Sam is also championing a campaign to bring entrepreneurship into the school curriculum — ensuring every young person, regardless of background, has the tools to shape their own future.

🎧 Tune in for a conversation full of insight, inspiration, and practical wisdom from one of the UK’s most impactful business leaders.

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🎖️ Major Scotty Mills is a former Royal Marines Commando Officer and Head of Performance for all 6,500 of Britain’s elite Green Berets.

From the backstreets of South London to leading battlefield missions alongside US Navy SEALs, Scotty’s life is a powerful story of resilience, leadership, and human potential.

As Commanding Officer, he led recovery teams transforming the lives of injured and traumatised service personnel across the UK’s Armed Forces. A world record holder and London 2012 Olympic Flag Bearer, he later became a trusted advisor to elite sports teams—most notably helping Gareth Southgate and the England Football Team forge a winning culture under pressure ⚽.

Named the most inspirational serviceman in the UK, Scotty is now a globally sought-after motivational speaker, performance coach, and author of Never Give In: 12 Commando Rules for Life. His mission? To help people and teams around the world unlock the courage to achieve their impossible dreams.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Scotty’s incredible journey—from combat zones to coaching world champions—and discover the leadership lessons that will change how you show up in life and work.

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✈️ Emma Henderson MBE is a transformative speaker, award-winning CEO, and one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide.

With over 30 years of aviation experience, she brings powerful, real-world lessons on resilient leadership, high-stakes decision-making, and leading teams through turbulence—both literal and figurative.

From flying aircraft at 37,000 feet to founding the celebrated Project Wingman during the pandemic, Emma has become a trusted voice in developing authentic, human-centric leadership cultures. Her "captain's mindset" equips leaders to make fast, confident decisions, build trust, and adapt in high-pressure environments.

Her bestselling book GROUNDED distills these lessons into a practical framework for success in business and life. As an Aviation Ambassador and MBE honouree for services to charity, she’s inspired top organisations like NatWest, EDF, Boeing, and the NHS.

🚀 Tune in now to hear how Emma turns cockpit wisdom into boardroom brilliance—and walk away with the tools to lead with clarity, courage, and resilience.

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🎙️ Chris Duncan is a seasoned media leader with over 25 years of experience driving transformation and growth across the agency, national newspaper, and magazine sectors. He’s led strategic change in complex global environments for UK, US, and European businesses.

From doubling revenue at a cloud CRM startup to launching the first iPad edition of The Times, Chris has consistently delivered innovation and impact. As Chief Customer Officer at NewsCorp, he spearheaded marketing and business development across UK brands, and as MD of The Times, he scaled its digital subscriptions to record highs.

As CEO of Bauer Media UK Publishing, he oversaw 80 brands and 800 people, driving profitability and double-digit digital growth 📈. Today, he leads Seedelta, a media consultancy helping companies align strategy, technology, people, and processes to achieve sustainable revenue growth.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Chris’s inspiring journey and powerful leadership insights that will challenge your thinking and spark new ideas.

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373. Tornado Down! Leading through Uncertainty - John Peters

🎙️ This week on the Inspiring Leadership Podcast, we welcome John Peters — a former RAF pilot who was shot down and captured during his first mission in the Gulf War of 1991. Held as a Prisoner of War for seven weeks, he endured brutal interrogation and torture—experiences that would ultimately shape a remarkable second chapter in his life.

Since leaving the RAF, John has become a respected leadership consultant, speaker, and author. He holds an MBA, has led executive education at top business schools, and founded the consultancy Monkey Business. His bestselling book Tornado Down and its award-nominated documentary brought his story to global attention.

In this powerful episode, John shares what captivity taught him about resilience, leadership, and transformation—and how those lessons now help others navigate uncertainty and lead with purpose.

Tune in to be inspired 🌍

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