I’m Emily Austen, founder and CEO of London based PR Agency, EMERGE. I am passionate about launching and scaling small businesses, and have been fortunate enough in my 13 year career, to work with some of the most exciting, category defining brands in the world. I started my business when I was 22 years old, fresh out of University. Since that time, the world has got louder. Our expectations have got harder, and our lives have become busier. Fobbing friends off with the stock answer we have all became accustomed to, ‘I’m so busy,’ is an attempt to compel, conflate and convince. But when did being too busy become a mark of status? Why is the goal to never have any free time? And just what the fuck is everyone doing? Are we setting unrealistic expectations for future entrepreneurs and business owners, by encouraging them that a maniacal approach to diarising is the standard? I'm really interested in the difference between busy lives, and full ones, and keen to understand how the smartest people I know create systems and processes to enable them to do it all.
This podcast aims to give you a realistic, detailed insight into the honest stories, the failures, the triumphs, the intricacies, the mistakes, the come backs, the fuck ups, from those set to make their mark; the leaders, movers and shakers, trailblazers and game changers. We cover imposter syndrome, cashflow, hiring and firing, call out culture, resilience, anxiety, global growth, daily routines + knowing when to quit, choosing the best in the Busi-ness, to help you cut through the noise, and optimise your success.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I’m Emily Austen, founder and CEO of London based PR Agency, EMERGE. I am passionate about launching and scaling small businesses, and have been fortunate enough in my 13 year career, to work with some of the most exciting, category defining brands in the world. I started my business when I was 22 years old, fresh out of University. Since that time, the world has got louder. Our expectations have got harder, and our lives have become busier. Fobbing friends off with the stock answer we have all became accustomed to, ‘I’m so busy,’ is an attempt to compel, conflate and convince. But when did being too busy become a mark of status? Why is the goal to never have any free time? And just what the fuck is everyone doing? Are we setting unrealistic expectations for future entrepreneurs and business owners, by encouraging them that a maniacal approach to diarising is the standard? I'm really interested in the difference between busy lives, and full ones, and keen to understand how the smartest people I know create systems and processes to enable them to do it all.
This podcast aims to give you a realistic, detailed insight into the honest stories, the failures, the triumphs, the intricacies, the mistakes, the come backs, the fuck ups, from those set to make their mark; the leaders, movers and shakers, trailblazers and game changers. We cover imposter syndrome, cashflow, hiring and firing, call out culture, resilience, anxiety, global growth, daily routines + knowing when to quit, choosing the best in the Busi-ness, to help you cut through the noise, and optimise your success.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the most quietly powerful women in the entertainment industry — and someone who has shaped the careers of some of the most influential names in British media, music, and culture. Mary Bekhait is the Global CEO of YMU, the talent management powerhouse behind household names in TV, sport, music, digital, and literature. Her journey from a freelance music journalist and record store assistant to the boardroom is anything but linear — and it’s exactly that eclectic, strategic, and deeply human approach that has defined her leadership style.
In this episode, Mary lifts the curtain on what it really means to manage elite talent — from helping household names navigate global careers to scaling creator-led businesses in the age of equity deals, social-first strategy, and content IP. We talk about longevity in the spotlight, boardroom ambition, managing scandal with clarity, and what it takes to lead with impact — all while raising a daughter and reshaping one of the UK’s most influential agencies in the post-COVID era.
Mary doesn’t chase the spotlight herself — but she’s been instrumental in building and protecting the people who do. So if you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to go the distance — in fame, in leadership, or in life — this one’s for you.
Happy Mammoth is our episode sponsor, and they are offering listeners 15% off online now. Head to www.happymammoth.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.