In this episode, I’m joined by Jude Jennison, Founder of Leaders by Nature, who empowers leadership teams to drive business growth and navigate change with confidence.

After 17 years at IBM, where she managed a $1 billion budget and led UK, European and global teams, Jude stepped into a very different kind of leadership work.

Today, she partners with blue chip companies and fast growing entrepreneurial businesses, working alongside her herd of horses to transform nonverbal leadership and team behaviours.

A bestselling author of three leadership books and host of the podcast Leading through Uncertainty, Jude shares how fear, courage and presence shape the way we lead.

Highlights:

(01:27) From Nottingham to IBM, and 17 roles in 17 years

(08:22) The women’s conference in Rome that changed everything

(10:39) Taking a year off, stripping back identity, and rebuilding from scratch

(18:22) Overcoming fear of horses, and the five minute lesson in true leadership

(23:48) Buying a horse before knowing what she was doing, and not giving up

(34:51) Reinvention advice, trust life, take the step, and build your support

Get in touch with Jude at:

www.leadersbynature.com

https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/judejennison

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m joined by Adam Witty, founder of Advantage Media, which he launched in 2005 from the spare bedroom of his home.

What began as a done for you publishing system for busy business leaders has grown into a global authority building company serving thousands of clients across 50 US states and 13 countries.

We explore how Adam’s innovative approach attracted Forbes, leading to the launch of Forbes Books in 2017, followed by partnerships with SXSW and Entrepreneur. From appearing on the Inc. 30 Under 30 list to leading a company recognised multiple times by Inc. 5000, Adam shares the reinventions behind the success.

This is a conversation about resilience, authority and embracing change as fuel for growth.

Highlights:

(03:15) Early lessons in resilience and entrepreneurship

(10:20) Launching Advantage Media from a spare bedroom

(17:30) Reinventing after losing his first company

(23:45) The Forbes partnership and building authority at scale

(30:10) Why writing a book changes how the world sees you

(34:10) Embracing change in the age of AI

If you’re looking to connect with Adam, he welcomes connections at awitty@theauthoritycompany.com, or visit theauthoritycompany.com and adamwitty.com

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Pownall, founder of Heather’s Media Hub, a purpose led digital strategy and communications consultancy working across healthcare, research, technology, cybersecurity and membership organisations.

After nearly two decades in publishing, including 15 years in senior medical publishing roles, Heather made the bold decision in 2018 to leave corporate security and build her own consultancy from scratch.

We talk about coming from a working class, risk averse background, navigating self doubt in the early years of business, and leading major digital transformation projects with measurable impact.

Heather shares how loss, burnout and a later diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia reshaped the way she works and leads. This is a powerful conversation about trusting your expertise, walking away when values no longer align, and building something that truly lasts.

Highlights:

(02:23) Leaving a secure senior role with no safety net

(05:19) Early experiences of being dismissed at school

(11:38) Thriving, then questioning corporate life

(14:24) The leap into entrepreneurship and loss of identity

(19:39) Discovering neurodivergence and reclaiming confidence

(24:54) Reinventing again and stepping into bigger leadership

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/