The Leader Unmasked Podcast cover art

The Leader Unmasked Podcast

The Leader Unmasked Podcast

By: Angela Cox
Listen for free

About this listen

 The Leader Unmasked is the podcast where leaders strip away the persona and share the turning points that changed everything. Hosted by Angela Cox, Paseda360 Founder and award-winning coach, each conversation goes beneath the surface to uncover what happened when they retired the pretender and chose to lead as their true selves. These are the stories behind the success—the brave decisions, the uncomfortable truths, and the defining moments that shaped who they are today. This is leadership unfiltered. Real people. Real turning points. Unmasked.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • #10 Sam Bramwell The ADHD Leader

    #10 Sam Bramwell The ADHD Leader
    Oct 9 2025
    The Leader Unmasked: Sam Bramwell on Embracing Authenticity with ADHD Feeling like you’re hiding your real self to keep up in a corporate world? Struggling to balance ADHD with leadership demands? In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox sits down with Sam Bramwell to explore her journey from corporate masking to authentic coaching. Sam shares how a spontaneous casino meeting in 2016 sparked a friendship, and how she went from suiting up at Microsoft—juggling people-pleasing and perfectionism—to launching a business that helps ADHD leaders thrive. Her story of shedding the armour and writing Enough is Enough offers hope for anyone in the “silent middle” quietly battling overwhelm. Tune in and subscribe for more heartfelt insights on leading as your true self.Here are three reasons to give it a listen:
    • Hear how Sam swapped corporate perfectionism for a business that supports ADHD leaders.
    • Get tips on managing the ups and downs of ADHD while staying authentic in leadership.
    • Learn about Sam’s book Enough is Enough and how it’s helping others reflect and grow.

    Resources:

    • Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn
    • Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast
    • Explore coaching at Paseda360
    Episode Highlights: [00:02:28 - 00:03:31] Corporate Armour: Sam recalls arming up at Microsoft with suits and a people-pleasing mask, hiding her ADHD-driven intensity. [00:03:31 - 00:04:19] The Mask’s Weight: She opens up about the toll of perfectionism and self-criticism, performing for others while feeling unfulfilled. [00:39:31 - 00:40:08] Coaching Rewards: Sam shares the joy of seeing clients blossom, a stark contrast to the invisible results of her corporate sales days. [00:40:08 - 00:41:19] Book Journey: She reflects on co-authoring Enough is Enough, a milestone that boosted her confidence despite ADHD challenges. Three Powerful Quotes: [00:03:55] “That mask was a mixture of people pleaser and perfectionist… a deep people pleaser.” [00:39:31] “I really felt for such a long time… that I was good for nothing.” [00:41:02] “Sometimes with ADHD we don’t always finish elegantly… but it’s wonderful to share it with people.” Enjoy This Podcast? Authenticity changes everything. If Sam's story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean. To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • #9 Lee Robinson Acting Enterprise Change Director, Compass Group

    #9 Lee Robinson Acting Enterprise Change Director, Compass Group
    Sep 25 2025
    The Leader Unmasked: Lee Robinson on Leading with Authenticity Tired of running from your true self to prove your worth? Wondering if slowing down could lead to something better? In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox chats with Lee Robinson, Acting Enterprise Change Director at Compass Group, about his journey from masking with extreme running to embracing a purposeful life. Lee opens up about using ten marathons in ten days as a shield from personal and professional challenges, only to discover stillness was the real strength. From high-pressure roles to mentoring with honesty, his story shows how letting go of the mask transforms leadership. If you’re in the “silent middle” quietly battling stress, this is a down-to-earth listen to inspire change. Tune in and subscribe for more real stories on leading as yourself.Here are three reasons to give it a listen:
    • Hear how Lee turned running ten marathons into a lesson about masking, not resilience.
    • Get insights on finding purpose by stepping back from the grind, even in tough roles.
    • Learn Lee’s thoughts on guiding others—especially the next generation—through uncertainty.

    Resources:

    • Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn
    • Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast
    • Explore coaching at Paseda360
    Episode Highlights: [00:01:42 - 00:02:33] The Running Mask: Lee reveals how running ten marathons was a way to avoid facing deeper issues, using it as a badge of honour. [00:03:24 - 00:04:31] The Shift to Stillness: He reflects on realising extreme efforts stemmed from a scarcity mindset, and how pausing helped him find value. [00:04:53 - 00:05:20] Home Challenges: Lee hints at personal struggles at home, adding depth to his journey of unmasking over the past year. [00:35:31 - 00:37:13] Looking Ahead: Lee shares advice for young people to be generalists, embrace AI’s impact, and find purpose in a changing world. Three Powerful Quotes: [00:02:08] “Running was the mask for me… it was more about what I was running from.” [00:04:06] “I was never just really taking enough time to be still… you need to understand what you really value.” [00:35:56] “The need for authenticity in human humanness is going to be a prized asset in the future.” Enjoy This Podcast? Authenticity changes everything. If Lee's story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean. To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • #8 Sue Wesby CEO Sandacre Group

    #8 Sue Wesby CEO Sandacre Group
    Sep 11 2025
    The Leader Unmasked: Sue Wesby on Embracing Authenticity Feeling boxed in by a corporate career that doesn’t fit? Wondering if midlife can bring a fresh start? In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox chats with Sue Wesby, CEO and founder of Sandacre, a property investment firm built on ethics and values. Sue opens up about her 15 years at Barclays Bank, where progression was rigid and impersonal, and her later stints in pharmaceuticals, contrasting that with her leap into property investing in 2021. She shares how shedding corporate expectations let her flourish, finding passion and purpose later in life. For leaders in the “silent middle” wrestling with burnout or self-doubt, Sue’s story is a nudge to chase what lights you up. Tune in and subscribe for more real insights on leading as your true self.Here are three reasons to give it a listen:
    • Hear how Sue left behind corporate constraints to build a values-driven property business with Sandacre.
    • Pick up ideas on rediscovering passion and purpose, even in midlife, to beat burnout.
    • Learn from Sue’s experience inspiring others, especially young people, to carve their own path.

    Resources:

    • Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn
    • Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast
    • Explore coaching at Paseda360
    Episode Highlights: [00:01:25 - 00:03:30] Corporate Roots: Sue recalls her time at Barclays, where career steps were pre-set, offering solid training but little personal freedom. [00:04:19 - 00:05:03] A New Outlook: She reflects on how age and passion helped her care less about others’ views, sparking the courage to try property investing. [00:30:34 - 00:31:21] Inspiring Others: Sue talks about challenging the education system’s limits, encouraging young people to explore entrepreneurship over traditional paths. [00:32:06 - 00:32:37] Open Doors: Sue mentions her approachable nature, inviting people to her property open days for a cuppa and a chat. About the Guest: Sue Wesby is the CEO and founder of Sandacre, a property investment firm grounded in ethics and values, where she’s become a leading light in the industry. After 15 years at Barclays Bank—where progression was automatic but impersonal—she moved into pharmaceuticals and later ran her own commercial vehicle business. Post-2008 financial crash, she left corporate life in 2021 to dive into property, a passion that now defines her. Sue’s journey from corporate rigidity to authentic leadership speaks to the “silent middle”—leaders quietly pushing through pressure—and her open, inspiring approach motivates others, especially younger generations, to rethink their paths. Enjoy This Podcast? Authenticity changes everything. If Sue Wesby’s story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com. Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean. To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
No reviews yet