Ever tried to roll out AI in HR and hit the wall of “we’re too busy for that”?
In this week’s People & Pioneers - The Podcast, I spoke with Cecily Motley, co-founder of Harriet, about why AI isn’t here to replace HR, it’s here to free it.
Cecily’s path has been anything but predictable. From the art world to building a global fashion business, to now leading an AI platform reshaping how teams work. What I loved most was her honesty about the experience: the wins, the missteps, and the emotional flak jacket she’s had to wear building from zero.
We talked about:
🎙 How Harriet HQ uses AI to remove admin and free up strategic capacity
🎙 Reframing AI fear into augmentation
🎙 Building emotional resilience as a founder (“the emotional flak jacket”)
🎙 Real-world examples of AI in action
🎙 Cecily’s personal AI stack and where HR should start
Her line that stuck with me: “We’re not taking work off your desk. We’re taking the boring stuff off your desk.”
It’s a great reminder that the future of HR isn’t less human, it’s more focused. And the leaders who get that balance right will build the leanest, most valuable teams of all.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tamir Aldad, an addiction psychiatrist turned founder of Mindful Care, which offers same and next-day in-person or online therapy and mental health care.
We talk about his journey from academia into entrepreneurship, the patients whose lives were changed by timely intervention, and why suicide prevention and awareness of warning signs matter more than ever.
Tamir shares the lessons he’s learned along the way - from finding mentors who push you with constructive criticism, to making the tough leadership calls when a team member isn’t the right fit.
And, of course, we look ahead: the role AI might play in mental health, why it can never replace human therapists, and Tamir’s vision for making mental health resources more accessible to all.
It’s a conversation about courage, timing, and the real impact of building something people truly need.
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For helpline/resources in the US:
In the UK:
UK: Samaritans 24/7 helpline – free to call (Tel: 116123) or visit Samaritans.org
UK: Shout – visit giveusashout.org or text 85258 for 24/7 support
If you or anyone you know is at risk of harm, please seek professional help immediately. In urgent situations, contact emergency services.
A whopping 80% of AI initiatives failed last year.
Not because of the tech. It’s because of how businesses approached it.
In this week’s People & Pioneers, I sit down with James Killick to uncover why so many AI projects stall, and what separates the success stories.
We cover:
And, most importantly, James shares live demos from leading AI products showing what’s working in practice today.
In the latest episode of People & Pioneers, I sit down with Charlotte Ransom, former Goldman Sachs Partner and now Founder & CEO of Netwealth, the UK wealth manager that combines industry experts with advanced planning technology.
We discuss her journey from the City to entrepreneurship, how transparent fees and a client‑first mindset are reshaping wealth management, and what it really takes to balance leadership with family life. Charlotte also shares practical advice for anyone considering the leap into entrepreneurship and reveals what’s next for Netwealth.
What can you learn from someone who scaled LinkedIn’s EMEA business from 1 office to 9, 20 people to 1,000, and revenue from millions to nearly a billion?
On this week’s People & Pioneers podcast, Ariel Eckstein shares his career journey:
From consulting → driving market entry at AOL Europe & Asia → scaling LinkedIn EMEA as MD → leading Global Clients as VP → now coaching, teaching MBA at Colgate Darden, and investing in future leaders.
We dive into:
Lessons from blitzscaling and smart market entry
Why there are “no shortcuts in hiring” when building high-performance teams
The underestimated power of listening skills in leadership
How to prepare for an AI-driven future
Why investing in relationships and networks pays off most in the long run
Thank you, Ariel. I came away reminded that leadership isn’t only about scaling numbers, it’s about scaling trust, listening, and clarity of purpose.
You think you know someone, and then you see them in a completely different context.
That was the case when I sat down with my friend, Mike Astell, CEO of FCDO Services.
In this latest episode of People & Pioneers, Mike and I did a deep dive into his move from corporate to public service, and the mindset shifts that came with it.
What stood out for me:
How to lean into your team’s cultural insight
Disrupting without losing hearts and minds
The power of delegation in driving acceleration
The lasting impact of mentorship, and how it compounds growth over time
Thanks, as always, for the great conversation and insights, Mike.
Some people lift your spirits the moment you meet them and make you want to up your game. That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jared and John from Sennos for the latest People & Pioneers podcast.
For an hour it was pure brain food. We explored:
If you need a shot of inspiration, a reminder to have fun, and perhaps permission to “just go for it,” give this episode a listen.
If you're a founder who wants to understand what VCs are really looking for in AI startups, tune into the latest episode of People & Pioneers – The Podcast: Inside the VC Mind: Building, Backing, and Betting on AI.
I sat down with Curiosity VC's Elliot Schouten to explore what separates standout founders in today’s crowded, fast-moving market - from product to people, ethics to pitching, and building lasting relationships with VCs.
Plenty of sharp insight, thought-provoking perspectives, and incredibly useful takeaways for anyone building in 2025.
If you're a founder navigating the highs, lows, and everything in between, this episode of People & Pioneers is for you.
I sat down with Eleanor Ford, Chief People Officer at Zinc VC, to unpack what makes exceptional founders tick: from choosing the right co-founders and building strong teams, to navigating uncertainty and turning pain into growth.Plenty of insight on building with purpose, backing talent with ambition, and why diversity is non-negotiable in 2025.
Join me in the latest episode of People & Pioneers: Pitches, Partnerships & Hybrid, where I chat with Luke Shipley, Co-Founder of Zinc.
Luke shares his journey as an introverted founder, the investor feedback that forever changed his pitch, the dynamics of co-founding with a partner, and how hybrid work fuels collaborative culture and business success.
Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this podcast is for you. Get ready to soak up game-changing strategies as we get real about people-powered success.
Hostage negotiation & everyday leadership: not as far apart as you think.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Nigel Taberner - former Moss Side police officer, hostage negotiator and now, award winning speaker for the latest episode of People & Pioneers.
In this incredibly practical and fascinating episode, you'll learn the key tactics and power of mindset, simplicity, authenticy, planning and listening. Skills that apply whether you are in a high risk armed siege, performance review or trying to get your kid to do their homework.
Whether you’re a founder, people-leader, or lifelong learner, this conversation will challenge how you think before you speak. Catch the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.
From a high-pressure corporate background to championing mental health, Chris Pinner’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of psychological safety and honest conversations. In this episode, we explore:
➡️ How high-pressure environments can drive burnout – and how to prevent it
➡️ Why delegation is key to productivity and trust
➡️ The power of performance conversations focused on strengths
➡️ Normalising tough conversations about suicide and mental health
➡️ What Gen Z really needs to thrive at work
For support:
➡️ UK: Samaritans 24/7 helpline – free to call (Tel: 116123) or visit Samaritans.org
➡️ UK: Shout – visit giveusashout.org or text 85258 for 24/7 support
➡️ US: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – call 988 or text HOME to 741741
➡️ If you or anyone you know is at risk of harm, please seek professional help immediately. In urgent situations, contact emergency services.
Whether you’re a founder, leader, or navigating workplace challenges, Chris’s insights are a must-listen.
Renowned CEO coach and author Steve Tappin joins me on the latest episode of People & Pioneers - The Podcast. The Awareness Advantage: How Great Leaders Are Made is an honest and insightful conversation about leadership, transformation, and human potential.
From his roots in Yorkshire to coaching the world’s top CEOs, Steve’s journey is driven by a lifelong fascination with what makes great leaders truly exceptional. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares powerful lessons on personal growth, cultural transformation, and how to lead with purpose and impact.
🎧 Tune in to explore:
This episode is packed with practical insight and inspiration for anyone passionate about leadership, culture, and unlocking human potential.
Thanks for the brilliant conversation and inspiration, Steve.
Being a founder is exhilarating. It can also be lonely, overwhelming, and mentally exhausting.
In this episode of People & Pioneers – The Podcast, Christina Richardson, Founder of Foundology and Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship at UCL, shares her experience of what it takes to survive and sustain the founder journey.
A serial entrepreneur, investor advisor, and builder of founder communities (UCL, FounderCircles), Christina shares hard-won insights on resilience, mental load, and the human cost of scaling a company.
From a life-changing personal event to shaping a portfolio career, Christina is on a mission to ensure founders get the tools, ecosystem, and mindset they need to go the distance.
We get into:
If you’re a founder - or work closely with them - this is a must-listen.
Making the leap from academia and clinical practice to launching a global HealthTech startup is no small feat - especially when the goal is to transform chronic disease care.
In this episode of People and Pioneers, The Podcast – Reimagining Healthcare: Innovation and Accessibility in Addressing Chronic Disease – we sit down with Salvatore Viscomi, MD, CEO of Carna Health, to hear exactly how he’s done it. From the big decisions to the toughest challenges, Salvatore shares the lessons he’s learned along the way.
We’ll dive into:
And much, much more. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this podcast promises to share some game-changing strategies as we get real about people-powered success.
In this episode of People and Pioneers – Legally Human: Law, Empathy, and Career Evolution – I speak with Claire Sanders, Co-founder of Being Human, a consultancy on a mission to make the legal profession more human.
Claire and I were at university together, and it’s a sign of the times that social media and wiggly career paths have reconnected us decades later.
Tune in to hear about:
And much, much more. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this podcast promises to share game-changing strategies as we get real about people-powered success.
If you are a CEO or Founder interested in scaling successfully, tune in to this episode of People and Pioneers, the podcast: The Blue-Collar Path to Silicon Valley and a Decade of Scale – Insights from Levi King, CEO & Chair of Nav.com.
You’ll learn about:
How to develop people leadership skills when they don’t come naturally, and the value of understanding brain science in winning the hearts and minds of users and employees
The value of 360-degree feedback in inspiring trust and driving personal and company growth
The power of transparency and authenticity in gaining goodwill and delivering results
Knowing when to let go as a leader and how to hire effectively when you aren’t a specialist in the role
How to keep ‘red tape’ at bay as a company grows while maintaining focus on the ‘big picture’—how best to serve the user
How distributed teams, as a strategy, promote innovation, diversity, user-centricity, and employee retention and attraction
The opportunity cost of not prioritising mental health support—why prioritising mental health is a performance driver and a friend of the P&L
And much, much more - to include some brilliant top tunes and reads. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this podcast promises to share some game-changing strategies as we get real about people-powered success.
Thank you, Levi, for an incredible podcast filled with immediately actionable insights, openness, and compelling stories from your experiences building Nav.com—the credit platform small business owners call home.
In this episode of People and Pioneers – Daring to Disrupt: The Power of Bold Thinking in Healthcare, I speak with Dr Maureen Baker CBE, Chief Medical Officer of Healthily and Chair of the Professional Record Standards Body.
Tune in to hear about:
The journey from traditional medicine to digital health
Bold approaches to navigating bureaucracy to deliver truly life-altering initiatives in patient safety
The importance of career diversification and adaptability as a clinician
Balancing family life with an ambitious career
Practical steps to avoid micromanagement
The power of disconnecting from the everyday through the things you love
And much more. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this podcast promises to share game-changing strategies as we get real about people-powered success.
If you're a founder or CEO who understands the importance of attracting and retaining great talent, tune in to the latest episode (19) of People and Pioneers: The Podcast, featuring Ellis Seder, Founder of Santa Monica Talent.
In this episode, you’ll gain insights into:
• Succession planning for CEOs and founders to ensure long-term company health
• Talent spotting for the next generation of leaders
• The growing pull of the Middle East for top talent
• The impact of AI on graduates entering the workforce
• The effects of remote working on compensation strategies
• The evolution of the job market, with a focus on the AI and FinTech sectors
• Predictions for 2025, including the migration of US talent and tech to the UK
Plus, there’s an added bonus of book and music recommendations—and so much more!
Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this episode offers game-changing strategies and candid discussions about people-powered success.
The Power of Authenticity in Life and Leadership: Insights from Glen Travers, Co-Founder of Diabetology, is an episode of People & Pioneers that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Glen’s candour and openness shine through as he shares his journey from corporate finance, venture capital, and securities to life as a biotech founder, CEO mentor, and CEO.
Tune in to hear:
And much more. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone striving for growth, this podcast promises to share game-changing strategies as we get real about people-powered success.