In this final episode of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life Season 10, I’m wrapping up the season by reflecting on the inspiring conversations with trailblazing leaders. In Season 10, themed Leaders on a Mission, I brought to light the powerful stories of individuals who are redefining success and making tangible, positive impacts on the world. From providing life-changing employment opportunities to ensuring accessible legal support for underrepresented founders, this season was full of lessons o...
Nov 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 125
You may have heard the buzz about fractional CMO, fractional COO, fractional CEO lately, but what exactly does it mean—and why is everyone talking about it? Imagine being able to control your work hours, choose your clients, and do more of what you love without being tied to a full-time executive role. Fractional leadership is that game-changing opportunity, and in this episode 123 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life, and the final of Season 10, I sit down with Karina Mikhli, a leader in this Fr...
Oct 29, 2024•54 min•Ep. 124
She made a powerful discovery that would change her life! Ghita Zniber, venture capitalist and co-founder of Kalys Ventures realised that her true passion wasn't leading her own entrepreneurial journey but supporting others in theirs. In this insightful episode 122 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life, Ghita shares her journey from a diverse educational background to becoming a key player in the African startup ecosystem. She delves into her mission to support entrepreneurs, particularly in Afric...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 123
She took a bold leap when she realised: “If on paper everything is right and I’m still unhappy, something’s wrong.” Today, that leap has turned her vision into reality. Aravinda Seshadri graduated from Stanford Law School and became a partner at a boutique law firm. On the surface, her career seemed perfect. But she knew something was missing. She craved more than just success—she wanted to make a meaningful impact. Aravinda believes that legal support shouldn’t be a luxury for startups, especia...
Oct 15, 2024•46 min•Ep. 122
This is what’s missing in how we approach solving the world’s biggest challenges: A shift from individualism to something bigger—collaboration. In this #120 episode of "Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life," I had the honour of speaking with Karim Sy, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Jokkolabs. With roots in Mali, Lebanon, and Senegal, Karim has spent his career fostering entrepreneurship and technological innovation across Africa. Join us as we explore Karim's fascinating journey, his mission t...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 121
What if the key to overcoming your greatest challenges isn’t your circumstances, but the stories you tell yourself? 🎙️ In episode 119 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Constance Scharff, a global leader in mental health research and the founder of The Human Resilience Project. We dive into her groundbreaking research on resilience within indigenous communities, the transformative power of storytelling, and the link between climate change and...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 120
How do you move from building a career to embracing your life’s true calling? In episode 118 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life, I have an inspiring conversation with Olatokunbo Ige, a former international human rights lawyer turned social entrepreneur. With over four decades of global experience, Olatokunbo reveals her powerful transition from the United Nations to founding initiatives like Livingstones Ecovillage and UTRADER. Her journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and a deep commitm...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 119
In this episode 117 of “Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life,” we explore the incredible journey of Matt Parfitt, Founder and CEO of Grace Enterprises. Matt shares his transition from primary school teacher to social entrepreneur, detailing how his faith-driven mission has led to the creation of several successful social enterprises. These businesses provide meaningful employment to individuals facing significant barriers, such as homelessness and addiction, while promoting sustainable and ethical b...
Sep 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 118
When people think of virtual assistants, they rarely think of African talent In this episode 116 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life, we sit down with Erefa Coker, the founder of IMÒ Interns, a groundbreaking platform that connects businesses worldwide with skilled, remote interns from Africa. With a background in HR and a passion for creating economic opportunities, Erefa shares her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and her mission to empower young African talent. We dive into how she built ...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 117
In this episode 115 of “Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life,” we kick off our season 10 “Leaders on a Mission” series with Christopher Marquis, Sinyi Professor at the University of Cambridge Judge School of Business and author of the book “The Profiteers: How Business Privatises Profits and Socialises Costs.” Chris exposes the strategies companies use to shift environmental and societal costs while maximising profits for shareholders. He also highlights pioneering companies that are actively creati...
Sep 03, 2024•56 min•Ep. 115
I’m excited to have you join me for Season 10 of the Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life podcast! "Leaders on a Mission" We’ll be delving into the personal journeys, impactful work, and visionary leadership of extraordinary individuals who are making a real difference in the world. Throughout this season, you’ll hear from leaders who are driving social change, empowering underserved communities, and challenging the way we think about business, innovation, and leadership. Each episode brings a uniqu...
Aug 25, 2024•4 min•Ep. 116
When considering employee advocacy or brand ambassador programs, organisations often assume: ⛔ It’s just employees sharing marketing on social media ⛔ It’s not relevant for managers and executives ⛔ It’s about continuously praising the company ⛔Tightly controlling the messaging of employee advocates is the key to success. ⛔ It’s only for sales and marketing staff However, my guests in season 9 of my podcast Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life shared insights dispelling these myths and revealing the...
Nov 26, 2023•25 min•Ep. 114
Before closing out season 9 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life podcast, I revisit a key question I love asking my guests: If I gave you 1 billion pounds today, what would you do? I ask this because it reveals our true motivations. How often do we ask ourselves what we'd really want if money were no object? This is how my guests this season answered. Their responses may surprise and motivate you! Let’s Tune in More info about the podcast Website: https://www.francinebeleyi.com/podcast/ Watch on ...
Nov 21, 2023•17 min•Ep. 113
As AI takes over more repetitive tasks, what unique human abilities remain irreplaceable at work? In this episode, #111 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life podcast, we explore how leaders can nurture human skills, creativity, and meaning in an increasingly tech-driven workplace. My guest, Fatima Roumate, is a professor at the University Mohammed V in Morocco. Her research focuses on the international relations and legal implications of AI. Inspired by her father's stories of fighting colonialism...
Nov 07, 2023•50 min•Ep. 112
“When people thrive, the organisation thrive.” In this episode #110, I’m joined by Antonia Bartels, director at Randstad RiseSmart. With a focus on coaching and career transition, Antonia advocates for creating a work environment where employees not only excel but feel at home. She believes that this leads to greater talent mobility, innovation, and retention within organisations. Antonia brings her expertise in career navigation and coaching to global businesses, emphasising the importance of e...
Oct 31, 2023•28 min•Ep. 111
Have you ever felt stuck during a performance review, wondering how to react to something you disagree with? The work landscape has significantly shifted from the days when we had little say in how our performance was assessed. In today's world, employees are actively participating in the performance management process. They're no longer merely recipients of feedback but are shaping their own evaluations. In episode #109 of the *Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life* podcast, Kristin Bell, a courageo...
Oct 24, 2023•52 min•Ep. 110
How can fostering personal branding and employee advocacy not only empower a team but also authentically communicate a company's mission and impact? Join us as we explore this dynamic with Professor Yao Azumah, Managing Director of Kya Energy Group, on their quest to make sustainable energy accessible to underserved communities in Africa. In episode #108 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life podcast, Prof. Azumah shares his inspiring journey in energy engineering, his frustration with restrictive ...
Oct 17, 2023•56 min•Ep. 109
What’s the role of kindness and its importance in personal and professional growth? In this episode, I am joined by Harpal Dhatt, also known as the Kindness Chef. She is a podcast host, a visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster, and the founder of Kindness Cafes. She helps leaders create a culture of kindness with nourishing recipes & menus to increase wellbeing. Harpal explains how her journey began with compassion but evolved into focusing on kindness. She emphasizes the need fo...
Oct 10, 2023•47 min•Ep. 108
Building a community for employees on social media is often overlooked but can greatly benefit a company's branding and marketing efforts. In this episode #106 of Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life podcast, I am joined by Michael Soerensen, co-founder of Sociuu, a pioneering employee advocacy platform spanning over 30 countries. Michael brings to light the often-underestimated practice of building a community for employees on social media and its profound impact on a company's branding and marketi...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 107
Learn why it's important not to be afraid of embracing your true self, even within your workplace, in this enlightening conversation with HR professional Jessica Pharm. Jessica, the founder and CEO of "Blackness in the Workplace" and a dedicated podcast host advocating for equality among black professionals, shares her journey with Francine Beleyi. They discuss the challenges and discrimination Jessica encountered, which ultimately drove her to establish "Blackness in the Workplace." Highlights ...
Sep 26, 2023•51 min•Ep. 106
In this episode, Bradley Keenan, the founder and CEO of DSMN8, an employee influencer platform, discusses the importance of enabling employees to be more active on social media. Bradley shares his background as a salesperson turned entrepreneur and how he came up with the idea for DSMN8. He also explains the concept of employee advocacy 1.0 and 2.0, highlighting the shift towards empowering employees to advocate for themselves on social media. Highlights Employee advocacy 1.0 focused on using em...
Sep 18, 2023•47 min•Ep. 105
Welcome to Season 9 of the Meaningful Work, Meaningful Life podcast! I'm thrilled to be back, diving into the heart of what makes work truly meaningful. In this season, we're putting the spotlight on something I'm incredibly passionate about: employee advocacy, or as I like to call them, employee ambassadors. Why? Well, because when people love where they work, it's a game-changer and they want to share it with the world. I've lined up an amazing array of guests who bring diverse perspectives to...
Sep 12, 2023•9 min•Ep. 104
When the pain of staying in a job you hate becomes greater than the paycheck that you’ll lose, the decision can be quick to get out of there. That’s where many people find themselves when to quit their job to join the great resignation. Beyond the obvious financial consequences, how can you best prepare when faced with this choice? My guest Caitriona Ellis, a Financial Wellness expert and qualified financial advisor, has many practical insights and personal stories to share. She works with women...
Sep 11, 2023•43 min•Ep. 95
Today is the takeaway 8, the final one of season 8 on the Great Re-evaluation which is: we need to create a good employee experience to retain talents in organisations. in episode 92, Jennifer Webb de Comarmond, entrepreneur & HR professional shares how organisations need to become human-centric before being profit-centric and how a good employee experience should be at least equal to customer experience. Listen to episode 92 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/92-connecting-people-to-their-purpo...
Apr 14, 2022•6 min•Ep. 103
The takeaway 7 of season 8, the Great Re-evaluation, is to Break this cycle, step away and start over. in episode 91, Meredith Keith-Chirch, founder of Decolonizing Your Health, shares how she couldn’t keep up working in the corporate world and quit. She thinks that the energy we show up with affects everyone at work including clients – So we've got to break this cycle. Listen to episode 91 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/91-be-our-own-authority-with-meredith-keith-chirch/ For all the other episo...
Apr 13, 2022•7 min•Ep. 102
The takeaway 6 of the season 8 Great Re-evaluation is that an era is coming to the end. in episode 89, Manish Bundhun, Corporate monk and Chief HR Executive at Rogers Group, sees the Great Resignation as a cycle where an era is coming to an end and a new one is starting. Listen to episode 89 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/89-finding-your-path-after-a-life-changing-event-with-manish-bundhun/ For all the other episodes and show notes go to https://www.francinebeleyi.com/podcast/...
Apr 13, 2022•7 min•Ep. 101
The takeaway 5 of the season 8 Great Re-evaluation is that we need to prioritise our health and wellbeing. In episode 90, Carlotta Tate-Olason, an Expat therapist and Anti-Ageing Mentor, talks about the psychological, mental and emotional tolls of the pandemic. It’s now time to take our health and well-being seriously both in our life and at work to live a youthful life. • Listen to episode 90 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/90-how-to-increase-your-quality-of-life-reverse-ageing-with-carlotta-tat...
Apr 12, 2022•6 min•Ep. 100
The takeaway 4 of the season 8 Great Re-evaluation is to Know what you want for your life in episode 88, Susan Popoola, a qualified Human Resources professional shares the key questions that people who are quitting their jobs need to answer for themselves to ensure their fit with their next organisation. Listen to episode 88 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/88-what-is-the-value-of-women-at-work-with-susan-popoola/ For all the other episodes and show notes go to https://www.francinebeleyi.com/podca...
Apr 11, 2022•7 min•Ep. 99
The takeaway 3 of the season 8 great- re-evaluation is that: Having emergency savings helps you to take bold decisions in episode 94, Caitriona Ellis, a Financial Wellness expert and qualified financial advisor, talked about the financial impact of the great resignation on those who have quit and joined the great resignation and those who may want to leave a job they hate but are still hesitant. Listen to episode 94 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/94-can-money-buy-you-freedom-with-caitriona-ellis...
Apr 08, 2022•9 min•Ep. 98
The takeaway 2 of the great re-evaluation season 8 is that: People are no longer willing to put up. In episode 87, Akhtar Badshah, Founder and Chief Catalyst at the Catalytic Innovators Group and author of the book Purpose-mindset explain that the management chain is broken, and people are no longer willing to put up with bad management and are voting with their feet. Listen to episode 87 https://www.francinebeleyi.com/87-go-make-the-change-you-want/ For all the other episodes and show notes go ...
Apr 06, 2022•8 min•Ep. 97
