When things get tough…again. Another week, another set of challenges. Sam and Simone take stock of changes in lockdown laws and discuss renewed pressure on our mental health – especially that of young people. We address the yawning chasm of school holidays that so many of us are facing and ask for your brilliant innovations for a stress-free (or at least stress-reduced!) summer. We discuss a new report that shows women are still taking on the majority of childcare during lockdown, but men report...
Jul 06, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Approaching “Independence Day” How do you feel about lockdown being lifted? Raring to get back into life and work? Or anxious about the chance of increased infections and nervous about re-entering “real life” ? Simone and Sam discuss their experiences on either side of the Atlantic and share their thoughts on “getting back to normal.” Life Lessons come from the brilliant Sharon Amesu Tell us your stories of work and life or share your life lessons! podcast@northernpowerwomen.com Presented by Sim...
Jun 29, 2020•24 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Practising kindfullness As our corona lexicon grows, Simone and Sam discuss practising "kindfullness" – not just towards other people but to yourself as we all face very different challenges. We discuss the link between coronavirus conspiracy theories and social media news and navigate the difficult decisions we have to navigate around work and life as lockdown starts to lift. Life Lessons come from the awesome Barbara Bray Tell us your stories of work and life, or share your life lessons! podca...
Jun 22, 2020•19 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Question, challenge and change Simone and Sam discuss how 12 weeks into lockdown, even as things start to ease, many of us are experiencing issues with our mental health, perhaps for the first time. Now is the time to realise that things are never going to go “back to normal” and this time of transition brings its own challenges as we let go of old work and life methods and search for new ones. We pose the question – “What would do differently if you knew then, at the start of lockdown, what we ...
Jun 15, 2020•24 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Following protests across the USA and the world this week, Simone and Sam talk about what we action we can take to amplify the voices of BAME women and men across business. Talking, listening, education and creating new frameworks, Simone shares some of the conversations she has been having this week in the NPW Power Circles. This week's Life Lessons come from the fantastic Mel Venner. Tell us your stories of work and life, or share your life lessons! podcast@northernpowerwomen.com Presented by ...
Jun 08, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 11
As things start to return to normal in some places, or at least open up, Sam and Simone discuss the conflicting emotions many of us are experiencing and the fact that not only has lockdown resulted in vast inequalities across the business world, but that it's imperative that all our voices are now heard as new policies and practices are being formed. There's tales of a new post-corona lexicon as well as questions over why women and men's sport are coming through the crisis differently. And this ...
Jun 01, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 10
There are celebrations this week as Sam and Simone discuss the nomination that the Northern Power Women podcast has received in the British Podcast Awards! The difficult up and down feelings we have all been experiencing over the past few weeks has been officially named by Northern Power Woman Lara Morgan – the Coronacoaster! Sam and Simone discuss the anxiety that many parents are dealing with following announcements that schools in the UK are to go back in some areas – how also do you deal wit...
May 25, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Sam and Simone discuss the slow return to work for many individuals and companies and how cities and rural areas will have different challenges to overcome. As lockdown starts to lift in Arizona, Sam visited a restaurant and talks about the extensive safety measures that had been put in place. Listener Stacey got in touch to ask how to deal with negative feelings that so many of us are experiencing during this time and the pair discuss how it’s so important to allow yourself to feel everything –...
May 18, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Simone has been on a virtual tour of the length and breadth of the North this week and shares some of the tips and advice that she's heard from senior leaders, from self-care to embracing future change and accepting now, that we are all writing history. The pair discuss Zoom invasions and how you can stop this happening on your calls and what to do when you really don't want "video on" Plus Marnie Millard, Group Chief Executive of Nicols PLC shares her life lessons. Tell us your stories of work ...
May 11, 2020•18 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Sam confesses to a massive personal fail in the work / life / home / school juggling act that we're all experiencing in lockdown. Simone shares some tips in how to stay motivated from her conversations from around the Northern Power Women network and they discuss how to switch off from work when your home is your office. Plus Alex Miles, Managing Director of West Yorkshire Learning Providers shares her life lessons. Tell us your stories of work and life in these strange times or share your life ...
May 04, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Simone and Sam talk about work life balance during lockdown and the need for us all to give ourselves a break! Simone digs into the effects of female leadership during Covid-19 and Sam highlights the political divisions amplified by recent anti-lockdown protests in the USA Plus Sam White, CEO of Freedom Services Group shares her life lessons. Tell us your stories of work and life in these strange times or share your life lessons! Mail podcast@northernpowerwomen.com Presented by Simone Roche and ...
Apr 27, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Simone and Sam discuss what your working life or business may look like post-lockdown. What can you do now to start to pivot? They celebrate some positive changes they have noticed, including the wonderful attitude of Captain Tom. There's more news of your lockdown hobbies - plus some crazy Corona dreams! Plus Advita Patel shares her life lessons. Tell us your stories of work and life in these strange times or share your life lessons! Mail podcast@northernpowerwomen.com Presented by Simone Roche...
Apr 20, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Simone discusses the need to celebrate our achievements during these tough times, however big and small and also tells us about her lockdown guilty pleasure - whats yours? Sam reveals some shocking news she learned about the Royal Family in a US supermarket and also what services are considered "essential" during quarantine. Plus Sophie Milliken shares her life lessons. Tell us your stories of work and life in these strange times or share your life lessons! Mail podcast@northernpowerwomen.com Pr...
Apr 13, 2020•18 min•Season 2Ep. 3
NPW podcast Special edition – Learn what your edges are! Welcome to a very special edition of the Northern Power Women podcast in association with the Co-operative Bank You’ll get to hear our live panel discussion all about early careers and how they shape our work, plus you’ll meet Lesley McPherson, Director of Communications at the Co-operative bank and she has some BRILLIANT advice for these very strange times. There’s also more of your NPW Shout Outs Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫...
Apr 09, 2020•40 min
Simone shares some of the insights she has learned from conversations with businesses and individuals from across the north this week. Sam reflects how some working dads are experiencing the tension between work and home life for the first time. Plus Alex Cousins from Capita shares her life lessons. Tell us your stories of work and life in these strange times or share your life lessons! Mail podcast@northernpowerwomen.com Presented by Simone Roche and Sam Walker Find out more about We Are PoWEr ...
Apr 06, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 2
It's all change at the Northern Power Women podcast! The world of work and home life has changed so much in the last month. We can't get together - for now - in the ways we used to, so here at the Northern Power Women podcast we're changing too. We are now going to be here for you every week, with episodes designed to help keep us connected at a time it's impossible to meet up. How can we help? What advice or information would you like to hear? Tell us your stories of work and life in these stra...
Mar 30, 2020•13 min•Season 2Ep. 1
NPW podcast Episode 33 – Don’t forget to keep your axe sharp! This month, we were back at the brilliant University of Bradford where we talked about whether employers should keep a keener eye on the social media behaviour of employees, we heard more life lessons and discussed whether adult learning should be part of your ongoing career plan The big interview is with Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice Chancellor of Bradford University, who spoke about finding her role models outside her own sector a...
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 33
NPW podcast Episode 32 – Should we all be shouting about our pay? This month, we held our live panel in Burnley at Burnley College and discussed the barriers still holding back women from senior leadership, what career advice you would give to the 18 year old you and whether you should discuss your pay with your colleagues The big interview is with Emily Cox, Group Head of Customer Relations at Lloyds Banking Group, who spoke about being a woman in finance during the global economic crisis and h...
Feb 03, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 32
NPW podcast Episode 31 – Get out there and shake your own pom poms. This month, we held our live panel in Manchester at Pinsent Masons where we talked about women only business spaces, new year career resolutions and how to figure out your own worth in the job market The big interview is with north east businesswoman Nickie Gott, who shares her extraordinary story of huge success and devastating personal and professional challenges. This month, there are more NPW shout outs - will you get a ment...
Jan 03, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 31
NPW Podcast Episode 30 – How to outwit the dinosaur boss This month, we were back at the University of Bradford discussing when to say no to requests for advice, how to engage men in the fight for equality and dinosaur bosses and how to avoid them. The big interview is with Kate Rogers, who is a Senior HR business partner at the University of Bradford She talks about the power of transferable skills and shares her passion – getting us all talking about the menopause and how it can affect our wor...
Dec 03, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 30
This month, we recorded our panel at DXC Technology In Newcastle where we talked about agile working, the future of conferences and which real, or fictional, Northern Power Woman you would put at the helm of the Northern Powerhouse! The big interview is with Dr Joanna Berry, Associate Professor Entrepreneurship Durham University Business School, who talks about what is means to be a pracademic, why women still have an issue with their businesses getting funded and what she learned from losing ev...
Nov 04, 2019•49 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode we are at Federation in Manchester for a very special Inspiring Career Progression event hosted by The Co-Operative Bank where we discussed the fabled “Queen Bee” syndrome where women don’t support other women, how a mentor can change your life and why getting your voice heard in the board room is just a state of mind. The big interview is with Maria Cearns, Managing Director of Current Accounts and Savings, The Co-operative Bank and she talks about the power of quotas and her br...
Oct 17, 2019•51 min
This month, we recorded our panel live at the Magna Centre in Rotherham as part of the Northern Powerhouse Convention and we discussed how Brexit could be an incredible opportunity for the north, whether the north south divide is just a state of mind and why the north is the best place to work and whether HS2 should be shuffled off into the sidings. The big interview is with the fantastic Ruth Ibegbuna Former CEO of Reclaim and now director of The Roots Programme, Ruth talks passionately about w...
Oct 03, 2019•56 min•Season 1Ep. 28
This month, we are thrilled to be sponsored by the brilliant University of Bradford , where we recorded our live panel, discussing the new wave of female vice-chancellors in universities, what factors make a city a great place to start a business, and top tips for getting the most out of social media…… and avoiding any disasters! In the big interview you’ll hear from Professor Uduak Archibong MBE, Professor of Diversity at the University of Bradford. She talks passionately about the need for div...
Sep 03, 2019•54 min•Season 1Ep. 27
This month we’re in Chester, sponsored by the brilliant Searchability, discussing the challenges of work and home life over the summer, why there is STILL such a dearth of women CEOs and whether flexible working really will become the norm. In the big interview you’ll hear from Meg Bowyer. A senior recruitment consultant for Searchability, Meg is also the Captain of Stoke City Women’s’ Football Club. She talks about the huge challenge of balancing her work and her passion and how she deals with ...
Aug 05, 2019•58 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This month we’re in Durham, sponsored by the superb Durham University , discussing the impact of Brexit on the North, why paternity leave is still eschewed by so many men and how to give a voice to underepresented women in business. Tech evangelist and Professor Of Computer Science at Durham, Sue Black OBE , shares her incredible story with us. No Ask The Hive this month - it will return, but some very special NPW shoutouts - has someone mentioned you? Plus, all the Northern Power Women news you...
Jul 03, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This month we’re in Leeds, discussing the Leeds International Festival, why companies need to try harder to be greener and why a woman has never run the Bank of England. Co-Founder and CEO of The Pipeline, Lorna Fitzsimons shares some incredible and inspiring advice in an interview where she is frank about the professional challenges she has overcome. In Ask The Hive: A friend wants a recommendation for a job she's not suited to. Plus, all the Northern Power Women news you need. Find out more ab...
Jun 03, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 24
A very special episode where we drop in on the superb Northern Power Women celebration event that was held on 8 May 2019 at KPMG in Manchester. We had two discussions on the night about work/life balance and wellbeing and gender diversity in the workplace and as you can imagine, they got lively! We also asked those who attended to celebrate a woman in their business life who had inspired them. A big thank you to everyone who came along. Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫...
May 21, 2019•1 hr 5 min
This month we’re in Liverpool, hosted by The Women's Organisation , discussing the effectiveness of gender pay reporting, office hours drinking and best career advice. Managing Partner at Morecrofts Solicitors, Alison Lobb talks to us about terrible interviews and the time the law didn't recognise women as people. In Ask The Hive: I hate teambuilding awaydays. Help! Plus, all the Northern Power Women news you need. Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫...
May 03, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 23
This month we’re in Leeds hosted by Sky Betting and Gaming, discussing women in senior leadership roles, the ghettoisation (or not) of business awards and life-changing books. Chair of the Scout Association, Ann Limb talks to us about imposter syndrome and what being Northern means to her. In Ask The Hive: How can I effectively transfer my skills to another sector? Plus, all the Northern Power Women news you need. Find out more about We Are PoWEr here. 💫...
Apr 03, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 22
