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10. Karen Cunningham: Longevity, Reinvention & Becoming an Award-Winning Director in Advertising
01:14:38||Season 2, Ep. 10In this final episode of season 2 of the emPOWER Breakfast Podcast, Founder and Host Athene Parker is joined by award-winning director Karen Cunningham for an insightful conversation about longevity, reinvention, and building a career in the advertising and film industry.Karen’s career spans decades, with multiple creative chapters from early ambitions as an actor, to working in advertising as a TV producer, moving into production as a talent scout and producer, co-founding her own production company Pink Films, and ultimately from there, stepping into a decades long, award winning directing career. Her journey is a powerful example of what it means to evolve, adapt and sustain a long-term creative career.Karen is known for her emotionally rich, human-led storytelling and her ability to draw authentic performances with her AMAZING casting, often from non-actors. Her directing career began with the award-winning short film “Wonderful World,” created for a children’s charity, which marked a defining turning point and launched her behind the camera, the project sweeping the board at the award ceremonies establishing Karen as an impactful voice shaping the landscape of brands and the ad industry alike.With warmth, honesty and humour, Karen reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her path, including navigating gender bias as a female director, building resilience through uncertainty, and embracing reinvention at every stage of life.Together, Athene and Karen explore:What it takes to build a long-lasting career in the advertising and film industriesThe power of reinvention and career pivotsThe realities of being a female director in a male-dominated industryHow producing shaped Karen’s creative instinct and leadershipThe importance of authentic storytelling and human connection in filmBalancing personal challenges alongside professional successWhat it truly means to direct your life with intentionThis is a conversation about experience, instinct, and staying power.. and a reminder that longevity in creative careers is not just about talent, but about resilience, self-belief and evolution over time.The chat is woven around a journey through music and memory. Sit back, relax and enjoy. 🎧✨🎶 Episode PlaylistTrack 1 – Blowin In The Wind - Bob DylanTrack 2 – Like A Prayer - MadonnaTrack 3 – Blinded By Your Grace - StormzyTrack 4 – Wonderful World - Louis ArmstrongTrack 5 – Perfect Day - BBC Version 1997🎧 Listen to the emPOWER Breakfast – Karen Cunningham Spotify PlaylistKaren Cunningham, female director, advertising industry, film director interview, women in film, creative careers, career longevity, reinvention, storytelling, directing commercials, PRETTYBIRDPlease Follow & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate and review The emPOWER Breakfast Podcast. it helps more people discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community. 💫
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9. Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Mia Powell about resilience, reinvention and rediscovering joy
01:29:21||Season 2, Ep. 9In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by MAMAMIA Founder Mia Powell, for an uplifting conversation about resilience, reinvention and what it means to rebuild yourself through periods of change. Following a theme of rootlessness in her early years that manifested in her pushing herself to the edges, she turned her destiny around and has worked in advertising and production at some of the biggest and best agency and production company names in the industry.Mia, founder of Mamamia Talent representing Business/Club, Riff Raff and Love Song, reflects on the personal and professional shifts that have shaped her journey, sharing candid thoughts on identity, leadership and creativity as a woman of colour in advertising.. and the courage it takes to start again. With warmth, humour and vulnerability, she explores how life’s more challenging moments can often lead us back to ourselves in unexpected and powerful ways. Mia is fiercely creative in her approach to everything she does which shines through in this conversation.Together, Athene and Mia talk about redefining success, rediscovering joy and learning to hold both ambition and humanity at the same time. It’s a frank conversation, and one that will resonate with anyone navigating change, whether in work, life, or both.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Sweet Like Chocolate - Shanks & BigfootTrack 2 – Hotel California - The EaglesTrack 3 – Jets - BonoboTrack 4 – Down The Line - It Takes A Number - RomareTrack 5 – So U Kno - OvermonoThe emPOWER Breakfast - Mia Powell Spotify Playlist
8. Athene Parker is joined by Rani Patel, for a profoundly moving conversation about loss, leadership and the journey of self-discovery
01:13:47||Season 2, Ep. 8In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by Rani Patel, for a profoundly moving conversation about loss, leadership and the journey of self-discovery through spirituality and creativity.Rani shares her thoughts on life and purpose, believing that creation is a spiritual act, that the business of advertising, at its best, is the art of manifesting the nebulous into matter. Together, they explore intuition, dreams and the unseen forces that guide us, as Rani reflects on the recent loss of her stepfather and the ways grief reshapes both our inner and creative worlds.Former co-founder of Calling and now Brand and Business Partner at Creator Lab at adam&eve/TBWA, Rani is a pivotal and deeply respected voice within the network. We are honoured to welcome her singular vision, wisdom and vulnerability to the emPOWER series.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Dreams - GabrielleTrack 2 – No Matter What They Say - Lil KimTrack 3 – So Far To Go - J Dilla, Common, D’AngeloTrack 4 – Mystic Brew - Ronnie FosterTrack 5 – Ultra Beam - Sunday Service ChoirThe emPOWER Breakfast - Rani Patel Spotify Playlist
7. Athene Parker talks to actor Perry Power about generational silence, storytelling and the role of emotional honesty in healing
01:31:26||Season 2, Ep. 7Trigger Warning - This episodes discusses theme’s of Sexual Abuse In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by Perry Power for a deeply thoughtful and courageous conversation about breaking generational silence, storytelling and the role of emotional honesty in healing.An actor and entrepreneur, Perry speaks openly about his work as founder of the Be Powerful movement, supporting survivors of sexual abuse to reclaim their voices through writing, film and community. He reflects on why men’s stories are still so often unheard, the impact of silence on identity and wellbeing, and the responsibility we all share in creating safer, more compassionate spaces for truth to be spoken.Together, Athene and Perry explore how storytelling can become a powerful path to recovery, how vulnerability reshapes ideas of strength and leadership, and why emotionally intelligent conversations are essential both at work and at home. The episode touches on masculinity, creativity, care and the quiet courage it takes to show up authentically, even when it feels uncomfortable.He wanted to give you his free guide to writing your story so click and download and start to explore your own story in a safe space.Perry has also written two books with a third on the way:Breaking The Silence and his second book Story Medicine is coming out soon! Perry is fundraising for his film ‘It Ends With Me’ so if you would like details please click here.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Grease - Frankie ValliTrack 2 – Thinkin Bout Me - Morgan WallenTrack 3 – An American Trilogy - Elvis PresleyTrack 4 – Gonna Fly Now - Theme from RockyTrack 5 – If I Can Dream - Elvis PresleyThe emPOWER Breakfast - Perry Power Spotify Playlist
6. Athene Parker talks to BBC Presenter Jennifer Bartram about resilience, confidence and finding steadiness in a digital world
01:25:50||Season 2, Ep. 6In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by broadcast journalist Jennifer Bartram for a powerful and honest conversation about resilience, confidence and navigating the impact of early personal loss, growing up onscreen and navigating online abuse.With more than twenty years on screen at the BBC, Jen reflects on a career shaped by storytelling and public connection. She also speaks candidly about the emotional toll of being targeted online, the knock to confidence that followed, and the intentional determination it took to rebuild a sense of safety and self.Together, Athene and Jen explore how we hold space for ourselves in challenging moments, how confidence can be reclaimed after adversity, and why clear communication remains such a vital tool in every setting, from the studio to everyday life. Jen also shares practical strategies for reducing digital overwhelm, grounding in real-life connection and supporting our own wellbeing in an always-on world.The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy!Track 1 – Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the DarkTrack 2 – Smokey Robinson - Tears of A ClownTrack 3 – Radiohead - No SurprisesTrack 4 – Katy Perry - RawTrack 5 – Primal Scream - Moving On Up The emPOWER Breakfast - Jennifer Bartram Spotify Playlist Jen talked about a wonderful supportive Facebook community called Adults Bereaved As Children. A place where she has found empathy and support around her feelings of grief losing her father aged 16.For people with teens interested to read how social media is affecting young people Jen recommended The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.Jen also offered practical ideas for creating healthier boundaries with technology, from grounding ourselves offline to removing the visual prompts that drive habitual scrolling.Jen’s Digital Wellbeing Tip: Turning on Greyscale (iPhone):Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Colour Filters → switch ON → select GreyscaleTo add a quick shortcut:Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Shortcut → select Colour FiltersTriple-click the side button to toggle greyscale instantly.
5. Athene Parker talks to James Hayhurst about parenting, purpose, and reshaping how we support one another
01:21:15||Season 2, Ep. 5In 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
4. Athene Parker talks to Rebecca Rowntree creative resilience, leadership, and embracing the power of being in progress
01:04:17||Season 2, Ep. 4For 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