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7. Athene Parker talks to Rosie Arnold about creative leadership, speaking up, and life after advertising
01:06:35||Season 1, Ep. 7Series 1 Episode 7 Summary:Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with ex BBH Deputy ECD Rosie Arnold. Rosie is a multi award-winning Art Director who has had a huge career in advertising, with a gifted start, bagging a placement at BBH before she had even finished her degree, going on to work there for 33 years. Rosie is the inventor of the white pencil (the ‘good works in the world’ pencil) while President of D&AD for their 50th year, lifetime achievement award winner, mother of two and now prolific painter of clouds! As a tiny nugget if you haven’t listened already, Rosie made the point to say menopause at least twice a day in boardroom meetings while she was in peri - WAY before menopause was anything other than the unspoken M word. GO ROSIE! The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Tracks:Raggle Taggle Gypsy – Christy MooreIf I Were a Bell – Jean SimmonsBring Me Sunshine – Morecambe & WiseMove Over Darling – Doris DayLucky Lucky Me – Evelyn KnightThe emPOWER Breakfast – Rosie Arnold Spotify PlaylistWe discuss themes of loss and grief due to leukaemia. If you’re supporting a loved one or looking for community and information, visit Leukaemia UK.Finding Support:Use Cancer Care Map to find local support groups.Contact national organisations like Macmillan Cancer Support or the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).Rosie’s Recommendations:Rosie shared some of the things that helped her during grief after losing her beloved husband, Pete:Poem:The Peace of Wild Things – Wendell BerryWhen despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingswho do not tax their lives with forethoughtof grief. I come into the presence of still water.And I feel above me the day-blind starswaiting with their light. For a timeI rest in the grace of the world, and am free.Book:Healing After Loss – Martha Whitmore Hickman“It helped me feel connected to everyone who has ever lost someone they love. Now I give it to anyone I know who's grieving.”Listening:“I found reading hard after Pete died, but audiobooks helped me escape. I'm slowly returning to reading again.”Art:Joseph Cornell – “His magical boxes, half-game, half-mystery, still captivate me.”Biographies:“I love reading about overlooked or misunderstood women in history – Lee Miller, Catherine the Great…”Podcasts:The Curious History of the Home – “Everyday objects, with extraordinary stories. Fascinating.”And finally:“My son Leo is an artist I deeply admire. He’s represented by Annet Gelink in Amsterdam.”
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6. Athene Parker talks to Sue Higgs about creativity, resilience, and speaking out
01:14:08||Season 1, Ep. 6Series 1 Episode 6 Summary:Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Sue Higgs. Sue is an award winning ECD who has a huge career in advertising, so far spanning over 25 years. Sue has been no stranger to managing multiple projects, having crafted her career trajectory while being the solo mum of three through the adland of the 90s, noughties and beyond. Sue has had many experiences that she has been vocal and front facing about, but none more so than her experience of extreme bullying whilst a Creative Director. This happened before the #metoo movement emboldened women and gave us the language to articulate inappropriate and coercive behaviour. While this was a challenging journey it is not the whole story and Sue didn’t allow this period to affect the rest of her life. Yes she suffered trauma, but she expressed it. Writing several articles on the matter in industry publications, as part of her healing. The response was shocking, endemic in the advertising industry she received an outpouring of stories of bullying both for men and women, highlighting that the issue was rife. It’s a vibrant joyful and insightful listen, to this amazing woman who is part of our community.The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Tracks:Carpenters - Close To YouVisage - Fade To GreyPrimal Scream - Come TogetherJimmy Webb - Wichita LinemanDavid Bowie - 5 yearsThe emPOWER Breakfast - Sue Higgs Spotify Playlist We cover topics from solo parenting to bullying - if you are experiencing bullying in the workplace, be sure to find allies and tell them what is going on and if you don’t feel like there is anyone in the immediate community you can talk to please go to the National Bullying Helpline for confidential advice. Sue says bullies like to operate in the shade so bring it into the open…Here is a note from Sue as to things she loves.Books I love are:The Year of Magical thinking by Joan DidionBoudica by Dr Vanessa Collingridge (I went to school with her)Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom WolfeWhy Has No One Told Me This Before? by Dr Julia SmithThe Prophet by Kahlil GibranPodcasts I love:The Rest is Entertainment How to Fail With Elizabeth DayWhere There's a Will There's A Wake with Kathy BurkeDesert Island DiscsThe emPOWER Breakfast (natch!) TV:BrassicLoaded Documentary Wham DocumentaryMyth Country ... could go on forever!
5. Athene Parker talks to Mays Al Ali about transformation, healing, and following your true path
59:04||Season 1, Ep. 5Series 1 Episode 5 Summary:Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Mays Al Ali. May’s is an ex EP/TV Producer having a huge career pivot after 18 years in advertising, retraining as a Certified Nutritionist and Naturopath. Mays has a masters in clinical nutrition specialising in gut health for optimal hormone balancing, nutrition for post/cancer care and specialises in lab and genetic testing. May’s journey was triggered by her own health crisis, brought on from chronic stress stemming from childhood trauma, rebelling as a teenager and then being caught up in the fast paced hedonistic life of advertising in the noughties. Mays had a healing crisis and moved to India to train as a yoga teacher, going teetotal and overhauling her physical, emotional and mental health. Mays is inspiring from the perspective of her commitment to her career pivot, and her commitment to her clients that she works with, one to one and on retreats in Majorca and Ibiza.A woman who has been no stranger to challenges, Mays believes in the guidance that she has been given from her higher self and angels to follow this new path.The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 - Aha - Take On MeTrack 2 - Roy Ayers - Everybody Loves the SunshineTrack 3 - Ram Dass Aware - Heart Takes FlightTrack 4 - Alexia Chellun - The Power is Here NowTrack 5 - Depeche Mode - Just Can’t Get EnoughThe emPOWER Breakfast - Mays Al Ali Spotify Playlist Here are some resources picked by Mays to share with you. Mays loves to listen to Great Dr Joe Podcast.Dr Gabor Maté's podcast on trauma and healing.A 9D breathwork sequence.Max Ström Ted Talk on the importance of 478 breath with a practice at the end.Content that Mays has created:May’s blog has all her favourite healthy recipes:www.healthymays.com/blog May's podcast on liver detox:https://www.cnmpodcast.com/liver-health-detoxification/ May's podcast on cravings:https://www.cnmpodcast.com/how-to-deal-with-sugar-cravings-blood-sugar-balance-with-mays-al-ali/ A Mays Al Ali Yoga Nidra recording 30 mins for sleep:https://on.soundcloud.com/tY8H8GSdhXhJUz5Z6
4. Athene Parker talks to Selma Nicholls about representation, resilience, and navigating life's challenges
01:06:29||Season 1, Ep. 4Series 1 Episode 4 Summary:Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Selma Nicholls. Selma is an award winning casting Director and the Founder of Looks Like Me Casting. Selma has an extensive history of the arts, dance and theatre, and is a proud board member of Punchdrunk Entertainment. She has been committed to addressing the imbalance of representation on screen and in the arts since founding Looks Like Like Me Casting in 2015 - after her daughter aged 3 questioned the fact that no one ‘looks like me’ - Selma began this movement well before diversity and inclusion was an expected norm, and has always been ahead of the curve ensuring all nationalities, genders and abilities are represented.A woman who has been no stranger to challenges, as a single mother, business founder, and a pioneer in this field, Selma still has the sweetest nature and brings energy and optimism to everything she does.Awards:Black British Theatre Awards - Best Casting Director Recognition Casting Directors Association Awards - Best Casting of a Live Performance 'Rumble in the Jungle'Casting Directors Association Awards - Best Casting of an Open Media 'Queen Charlotte Global Orchestra Promo'The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 - Rasta Medley - Groundation - Nyabinghi Drumming of Jamaica Track 2 - Kirk Franklin (Love Theory) Track 3 - Cutty Ranks (Who Say Me Dun) Track 4 - Erykah Badu (Bag Lady)Track 5 - Little Simz (Point And Kill feat. Obongjayar)Track 6 - Nina Simone (Here Comes The Sun)The emPOWER Breakfast - Selma Nicholls Spotify PlaylistWe asked Selma if she wanted to share any resources with you that mean something to her so please see her note below.Books:Be More Human - Rethinking the Rules of High-Performance Teamwork, by Caspar CravenEgo is the Enemy - The Fight to Master Our Greatest Opponent, by Ryan Holiday48 Laws of Power, by Robert GreeneMasterclasses and Podcasts:LOVE all Masterclasses, especially Spike Lee, Issa Rae, Serena Williams, Chris Voss https://www.masterclass.comLove https://www.youtube.com/c/YourAuntiesCouldNeverand love https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEOCurrently on a journey of living with grief and joy in my heart at the same time and enjoying long hugs from adults like never before. The beauty of life is learning something new everyday. Selma x
3. Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Jody Allison about her mental health journey and her life of two halves
01:13:23||Season 1, Ep. 3Series 1 Episode 3 Summary:Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Jody Allison - Award Winning Producer and Co-Founder of Heads Up Production - Jody talks candidly about her mental health journey and her life of two halves, as she discusses her breakdown in her early 30s. We journey through her resulting rehab experience and the landscape of her early childhood which was very much a contributing factor to offering the opportunity for growth that the experience afforded. In more recent years she has beaten breast cancer and has approached it with the same gusto and positivity in the face of adversity as everything else that has come her way. Jody reminds us to look up, take a step back and to find joy in the small things.The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Tracks:Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Roxanne - The Police - Outlandos d'AmourShe Talks To Angels - The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker Unwell - Matchbox Twenty - More Than You Think You Are.Strong - Romy and Fred Again The emPOWER Breakfast - Jody Allison Spotify PlaylistJody Mentions:CBT - Cognitive Behavioural TherapyCBT is based on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected, and that changing one can change the others. CBT helps people identify negative or inaccurate thinking patterns, and then teaches them strategies to respond to challenging situations more effectively. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression.Mental Health - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/Positivity - We talk about the power of positivity and not a toxic ‘everything is fine’ kind of positivity but a ‘trusting of the path’, and your instincts, and facing the hard stuff head on that creates a sense of positive progress, despite having to go through the difficult ‘stuff’ - positive people tend to be better at managing stress, bounce back more quickly after setbacks, and are more adaptable to change. Cultivating a practice of gratitude can do wonders for the mindset.If you are experiencing mental wellness challenges, please don’t battle through it on your own. There are organisations you can reach out to like the Samaritans - and although you might not feel like it, in fact it could be the last thing you want to do, please consider reaching out to a friend or family member and let them know how you are feeling. A challenge shared is a challenge halved. There really is help out there, and you are worthy of it.
2. Athene Parker talks to Nishma Patel Robb about her experience of racism growing up, navigating and understanding anxiety, and the transformative process of reshaping her professional path.
01:20:32||Season 1, Ep. 2Series 1 Episode 2 Summary:Athene Parker talks to Nishma Patel Robb, the Ex-Senior Director of Brand & Reputation Marketing at Google, inaugurated as the President of WACL in 2023—taking them from their 100th to 101st year. The current President of History of Advertising and a trailblazing pioneer for all women entering their second act, Nishma has set up her own company, The Glittersphere—a membership community led by Nishma. This move reflects her second-act pivot and her dream to empower women with financial independence through networking and community.A vibrant spirit driven to create opportunities and leave a legacy for future generations of women.The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!Tracks:Donna Summer - I Feel LoveThe Fugees - Killing Me SoftlyMary J. Blige - My LifeAngie Stone - Wish I Didn’t Miss YouSophie Lloyd feat. Dames Brown - Calling OutNishma Patel Robb Spotify PlaylistTopics Covered:Racism: Nishma talked about her experience of racism and the impact of the Channel 4 Dispatches programme Defiance - Fighting The Far Right - Channel 4 on demand.Menopause: Athene and Nishma touched on menopause and The Louise Newson Clinic, a specialist private clinic for menopause health. Many women, including both Athene and Nishma, have found HRT life-changing.If HRT isn’t an option, lifestyle changes like cutting caffeine and sugar, mindfulness, and slowing down your responses can help manage symptoms. Nishma highlighted the mental health challenges linked to perimenopause, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, and shared helpful articles:The Independent: Fear of Being Labelled Hysterical: 1 in 10 Women Experience Suicidal Thoughts Due to PerimenopauseMenopause Support UK: Study on depression/suicide in perimenopauseNishma also shared her experience with panic attacks. The NHS provides resources for managing symptoms, and holistic strategies like mindfulness, movement, and professional nutritional guidance.If you are struggling with depression or intrusive/suicidal thoughts, talk to someone—either your GP or groups who can support you. Reach out to friends who may have similar experiences.Remember, there are ways to support yourself—HRT, coaching, nutrition, and moving your body. You will get through this. Athene xJulia Leckey:Nishma spoke about her friend, coach, and author Julia Leckey, who helped her find a new career path. Nishma recommends Julia’s book:Think Fearlessly to Grow Wealthy
1. Athene Parker talks to Accenture Song Studio's Leila Bartlam, about self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative impact of receiving an autism diagnosis later in life.
01:20:06||Season 1, Ep. 1Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Leila Bartlam, UK Country Lead for Accenture Song’s Production Studios, about her life and journey into advertising, particularly now that she can look through the lens of receiving her Autism diagnosis aged 48 in 2023. Leila is Accenture Songs enablement lead, a proud Neurodivergent and ND Advocate. Leila's work as a Producer has won numerous creative awards and effectiveness awards from D&AD, British Arrows, Creative Circle and Campaign Bigs amongst others. Leila is incredibly strong operationally and has a passion for helping agencies run more efficiently, whilst still delivering creatively brilliant work. She has also always cared about the internal workings of the companies that she works for, advocating for staff led support. Leila continues to advocate for a healthy working environment for ND Staff and this has become even more important to Leila since she has recently received her Autism diagnosis, which makes her an even fiercer advocate for the hidden voices in our Industry.The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 You can go your own way - Fleetwood Mac- Rumours Track 2 Inbetween Days - The Cure - Head on The DoorTrack 3 Dreams by The Cranberries - The Collection Track 4 Shostakovich - Symphony Number 5 - The fourth movement Allegro Non TroppoTrack 5 State of Grace - Taylor Swift - RedThe emPOWER Breakfast - Leila Bartlam Spotify PlaylistLeila Mentions:Melanie Sykes autobiography IlluminatedNoise Canceling Headphones:More expensive:https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headphones/earbuds/bose-quietcomfort-earbuds-ultra.html#v=QCUE-HEADPHONEIN-LBLU-WWLess expensive:https://www.loopearplugs.com/products/quiet-plusMind Mapping Software: Mind Manager Book: Highly Sensitive People