The emPOWER Breakfast

In this episode, Athene Parker speaks with James Hayhurst, founder of the Positive Parenting Alliance and the driving force behind The Parents Promise.James joined us for a deeply moving and insightful emPOWERMENt conversation that explored the power of compassion, courage and vulnerability in leadership and life. Drawing on his own personal journey, James shared how he transformed a profoundly difficult family experience into a movement that supports parents navigating separation with empathy and understanding.Together, Athene and James discuss the importance of building compassionate workplace cultures, the role of employers in recognising major life events such as separation, and how these moments ripple through families and professional lives alike. They also reflected on their shared experiences as parent carers to non-speaking autistic children, opening up an honest dialogue around care, communication and the unseen challenges faced by many families.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Queen - Radio GagaTrack 2 – Stormy Clouds - The VerveTrack 3 – Heart and Soul - David GrayTrack 4 – Fever to the Form - Nick MulveyTrack 5 – When I Close My Eyes - Benjamin AmaruThe emPOWER Breakfast - James Hayhurst Spotify Playlist For those who’d like to explore the themes discussed in more depth, you can find resources and insights from the session in our accompanying PDF guide.You can also learn more about The Parents Promise and how to introduce its principles in your workplace here:www.theparentspromise.org.uk

For this episode, Athene Parker speaks to Rebecca Rowntree, Creative Consultant, AI Creative Technologist & Film Director and founder of the Get Sh*t Done community.Rebecca’s Creative Directing career spans bold campaigns, beautifully crafted films and a passion for celebrating real stories that challenge the status quo. Through her work, she continues to open up space for creative voices to be heard and supported.In this honest and energising conversation, Rebecca talks about the messy, brilliant and very human sides of doing the work: the pivots, the doubts and the hard-earned wins. She shares her insights on navigating leadership as a freelancer, building a life and career on your own terms, and finding strength in moments of uncertainty.A reminder that being authentic is not something to fix, but a powerful place from which creativity, courage and growth can flourish.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Assassin De La Police – Cut Killer (from La Haine)Track 2 – Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien – Édith PiafTrack 3 – Coconut Mall – Mario Kart Wii SoundtrackTrack 4 – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie ValliTrack 5 – I Am the Greatest – Spinifex Gum x Marliya ChoirThe emPOWER Breakfast  - Rebecca Rowntree Spotify Playlist

Series 2 Episode 3 Summary:For this episode, Athene Parker talks to emPOWER’s inaugural emPOWERMENt guest speaker, Barny Wright, CEO and Partner of No.8 London.Back in April, Barny joined us to launch our very first emPOWERMENt event, an open space for men in our industry to share their own challenges and journeys.In this conversation, Barny opens up with striking honesty about his path through addiction, recovery, and astonishing professional success. He talks candidly about the pressures that can come with working in the advertising industry, the grief of the loss of his nephew, and his unwavering commitment to sobriety. What shines through is his ability to blend humour, vulnerability, and courage, offering hope and perspective to anyone navigating life’s tougher moments.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Don’t You Want Me - Hooj Mix - FelixTrack 2 – Prayer - ProspaTrack 3 – White Lines - Grandmaster FlashTrack 4 – Starfish and Coffee - PrinceTrack 5 – Wildfires - SaultThe emPOWER Breakfast – Barny Wright Spotify PlaylistWe asked Barny what helped him stay on track and here are a few of the books that he turned to to help him get through his experience of not only addiction, but also the grief of losing his nephew.Addiction:The Ongoing Path by Mark DempsterAtomic Habits by James ClearRunning (running is Barny’s ‘goto’ to maintain mental wellness and resolve):Born to Run (McDougall book)Grief: A Heart That Works by Rob DelaneyWe also thought these links might be helpful resources. NA - Narcotics AnonymousAA - Alcoholics AnonymousMindRemember, If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction please source support. Unmasking and reaching out to your community for help and advice will make you feel better than you think. If someone you know is struggling and it is impacting you, the first thing you must do is support yourself. You don’t have to do this alone.

Series 2 Episode 2 Summary:Athene Parker talks to the indomitable Melissa Robertson, CEO, Director of Menopause Mandate and Director of the Women’s Sports Trust. In a refreshingly frank conversation about Melissa’s experience of peri menopause and how she managed debilitating symptoms while CEO at Dark Horses, where she also wrote an open source menopause policy later adapted by Menopause Mandate.Melissa takes us through defining and challenging moments of her impressive career and we get a glimpse of the fearless, entrepreneurial schoolgirl Melissa once was. The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Tracks:Oliver’s Army – Elvis CostelloDays Like This – Van MorrisonSisyphus – Andrew BirdRise – GabrielleGive Me One Reason – Tracy ChapmanThe emPOWER Breakfast – Melissa Robertson Spotify PlaylistMelissa is a Director of Menopause Mandate, a movement founded by Mariella Frostrup to push for policy change for women in peri menopause and menopause in both workplaces and GP surgeries. Here is Melissa’s open source Menopause Policy, written while CEO at Dark Horses.Did anyone mention Menopause: It's a Right Laugh!? A one off show with an all female line up of top comedy, introduced by MM chair Mariella Frostrup and compéred by the one and only Davina. Menopause Mandate are looking for a sponsor to cover artist costs so that we can get this CORKER on air. If that sponsor could be YOU then click here.The emPOWER Breakfast created a giveaway PDF with tips, information and testimonials from members for Melissa’s talk which we wanted to share with you.Lifestyle & Symptom Management:Nutrition: Manage symptoms by eating phytoestrogen-rich foods (soy, flaxseed, legumes), a balanced diet with extra protein, and reducing sugar and refined carbs. Stay hydrated.Exercise: Focus on weight-bearing and strength training, yoga, walking. High cardio can increase cortisol in peri menopause.Sleep: Practise good sleep hygiene and mindfulness before bed.Stress: Meditation, breathing exercises, journaling.British Menopause Society: Guidance on symptom management and treatment options.HRT options:Progesterone – Tablets (can be used as pessaries if you react to progesterone)Estrogen – Gel or patchesTestosterone – Access Androfemme via the Newson Clinic, or ask your GP for male testosterone in the UK.Quick fact: During peak fertile years your ovaries make more testosterone than estrogen so don’t take no for an answer if you feel it could help.Holistic methods: nutrition, meditation, breathwork and practitioner-led support.For some, HRT is life changing when physical and emotional symptoms impact mental health. Every woman should have the right to choose what works for her. Connecting with communities, therapists or menopause specialists can provide practical tips and emotional support.

Series 2 Episode 1 Summary:For this episode, Athene Parker talks to emPOWER’s first guest speaker of 2025, the INCREDIBLE Sally Miller, in a moving and profoundly human conversation.Today, Sally celebrates her 50th birthday, offering a moment to reflect on a life and career marked by strength, humour and compassion. She speaks candidly about caring for her mother, who is living with advanced dementia, sharing the daily realities of family caregiving that so many face but few discuss openly.Sally also takes us through some of the most defining and challenging moments of her life while building a remarkable career in advertising and media. From navigating grief and loss to finding resilience and joy, her story shows the power of vulnerability, empathy and connection in leadership and beyond.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Tracks:Bow Wow Wow - Go Wild In The CountrySex Pistols - Who Killed BambiLudovico Einaudi - The Earth PreludeStevie Wonder - Isn’t She LovelySnatam Kaur - Long Time SunThe emPOWER Breakfast - Sally Miller Spotify PlaylistWe asked Sally to share some of her go-to resources that bring her knowledge and comfort. Take a look below.Resources/Links:Gabby Bernstein InstagramAudible Books:Manifest by Rosie NafousiThe Goddess Path by Kirsty GallagherA New Earth by Eckhart TolleDare I Say It by Naomi WattsThis is Dyslexia by Kate GriggsMenopausing by Davina McCall & Dr Naomi PotterAm I Enough: Mark Your Mirror & Change Your Life by Marisa PeerThe Power of Now by Eckhart TolleClear Thinking by Shane ParrishMy Dyslexia by Philip SchultzLiving from a Place of Surrender by Michael A. SingerThe Mindful Body by Ellen LangerAlchemy by Rory SutherlandOh, Miriam! by Miriam MargolyesHappy Mind, Happy Life by Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Series 1 Episode 9 Summary:For this special episode, emPOWER’s first guest speaker, the wonderful Leila Bartlam, has turned the tables and is in glorious conversation with Athene Parker, finding out more on Athene’s own personal story! Athene is the founder and host of The emPOWER Breakfast, an autism advocate and founder of theSENmumma, a network for mums at the beginning of the diagnosis journey for their kids. Athene has worked in music and advertising for over 25 years in a New Business capacity and went full time on emPOWER at the end of 2024.A woman who has been no stranger to challenges, she and her husband navigate life as parent/carers for their wonderful son Jack who is profoundly autistic and pre-verbal. Living with her husband Ben (who is also her voiceover agent!), their son and their crazy dog Conker.The chat is weaved around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Tracks:Fairport Convention - Crazy Man MichaelRosie Vela - Magic SmileMother Devine - Devi PrayerJustin Timberlake - Can’t Stop The Feeling (Got That Sunshine in My Pocket) Ganavya - Oh Raaya Jamiroquai - Virtual InsanityThe emPOWER Breakfast - Athene Parker Spotify PlaylistUseful Resources:The Telepathy Tapes - Ky DickensIf you are a parent to a non speaker, this will blow your mind. If you aren’t it will blow yours harder!Spell To CommunicatetheSENmummaFilofax! They still exist :)