We Are Power Podcast

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Kirsty Murphy MBE — trailblazing pilot, proud daughter, and people-first innovator. From growing up on an RAF squadron to becoming the first and only female Red Arrows pilot, Kirsty shares how she carved out her own path in a world where few women had gone before.

She speaks openly about building a career that’s more like a climbing wall than a ladder — full of ...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Gail Hall, Director of Operational Excellence, and Emma Griffin, Group Chief Security Officer at Royal London - two powerhouse leaders with stories that move from bars to boardrooms, and everything in between.

We also explore Royal London’s commitment to empowering others, including their brilliant partnership with our Mentor of the Year category at the 2025 #NP...

What does it mean to work at a company that encourages growth, mentorship, and innovation? This episode, we chat with Richard and Amy from Bank of America, our Co-Headline Partners for the NPWAwards, about exactly that.

🌟 Richard (25 years at Bank of America) shares why he’s changed roles every 20 months and how curiosity has shaped his career.
🌟 Amy (celebrating 10 years) reflects on why she never wanted to leave th...

The brilliant Lisa Allen and Jen Hardy from Shakespeare North join the We Are PoWEr Podcast to explore how theatre can be a poWErful force for healing, inclusion, and community.

From growing up in youth theatre to building careers rooted in creativity and connection, Lisa and Jen share how early role models, big dreams, and bold networking led them to where they are today. They open up about the imposter syndrome they’ve f...

Empowerment champion and four-time finalist, Ann Stonehouse, joins the We Are PoWEr Podcast to share the journey behind her well-earned recognition at the 2026 Northern PoWEr Women Awards.

From starting a podcast club in lockdown to launching a book club to hold herself accountable, Ann reveals how community, creativity, and connection fuel her drive. She opens up about what it meant to be nominated, how mentoring through ...

This week on the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we're joined by Nicola Gleave founder of Worn by Us, entrepreneur, and unstoppable force for good, as she shares the moment her life pivoted forever.

Nicola’s story is more than inspiring - it’s a reminder that even in life’s hardest moments, there’s space to create, connect, and lead.

Chapters:
0:00 – Introducing Worn by Us
1:44 – Breast Cancer Diagnosis 
5:...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we speak with Marianna Vaszilyiv, the driving force behind United for Ukraine an organisation that supports displaced Ukrainians with employment opportunities, courses, and essential services since the 2022 Russian invasion.

Marianna shares how what started as a two-week support initiative quickly evolved into a long-term, high-impact operation. Drawing on her multicultural heri...

Dr. Chrissi McCarthy's candid conversation takes us through her story of growing up in a council house in Bracknell to holding a PhD and founding the Centre of Behavioural Equality.

Dr Chrissi opens up about mental health struggles that doctors dismissed because she 'was smiling' and an alcohol dependency that society refused to recognise because it didn't fit the stereotypical image of alcoholism.

Liste...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Donna Scully, Joint Owner and Director at Carpenters Group, one of the UK’s leading providers of insurance and legal services.

Donna shares her experience of moving from London to Liverpool for a fresh start, and how she built a successful career as a lawyer and entrepreneur. She reflects on key moments along the way including being once called a “Scally” at sch...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Jo Milne, founder of Cure Usher Syndrome, to talk about her mission to find a cure and amplify the voices of those living with Usher syndrome.

Jo shares her personal experience of being misdiagnosed, only to learn at 29 that she had been living with the condition all along. As someone who grew up partially sighted without a role model to look up to, she is now determined ...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Calvin Eden, founder and brand director of Loud Speaker, an organisation dedicated to empowering young people through confidence-building workshops.

Calvin shares how Loud Speaker grew from an idea during lockdown to reaching over 200,000 students, creating life-changing opportunities along the way. He opens up about his personal journey, including the tragic lo...

🎙️ In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Foluso Falade — last years candidate on The Apprentice UK and founder/CEO of Brandin’ It, the first-ever social enterprise to feature on the show.

Foluso shares the story behind her pioneering organisation, which helps young people across the UK create and launch their own brands — a mission that’s rapidly building a platform set to reach 9 million teens.

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Bentley Motors, our #NPWAwards PoWEr List partner, to explore their commitment to innovation, from electrification by 2026 to a £2 billion investment in sustainability.

We also discuss:
🚘 The importance of skills in transforming industries
⚡ The challenges and opportunities of going all-electric
🎓 Bentley’s role in developing future talent through ...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we’re joined by Tarifa Simpson from Forvis Mazars, who shares the story of how she built her career and the lessons she learned along the way.

Tarifa opens up about how she explored different internships to find her true career path, leading to a graduate role in transactional services. What started as an opportunity turned into a 17-year journey at KPMG, shaping her expertise a...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we sit down with Dr Penny Trayner, a neuropsychologist who has discovered a fascinating connection between DJing and brain recovery.

Penny shares how her work in neuropsychology led her to explore the impact of music on rehabilitation and why she believes that the only real barrier is what we tell ourselves. She also reflects on her childhood in Abu Dhabi, how her parents’ caree...

The #NPWAwards isn’t just one night—it’s a movement that keeps growing, inspiring, and driving change every single day. 

In this special episode, we catch up with some of our incredible 2025 winners and commended to hear what the awards have meant to them, their organisations, and the communities they support.

Joined by Natalie from Nuvo Wellbeing, Kirsty from DWF Law, Afra from Savera UK, Julie from Digital Voice...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Joe Dent, Chief People Officer at Princes, as he shares his inspiring journey in corporate leadership, mental health advocacy, and fostering inclusion within organisations. With 14 years of experience at Princes, Joe has risen through the ranks from HR Controller to Group HR Director and now Chief People Officer, shaping the company's People Excellence strategy.

Joe ...

Join us on the We Are PoWEr podcast as Amy Williams, Managing Director at Barclays and Iwona Schmidt, Managing Director at Bank of America talk about their roles as co-headline partners for the 2025 Northern PoWEr Women’s Awards. 🌟

Amy and Iwona share... 
✨ Their excitement for the night
✨ The power of role models
✨ Why the partnership is important to them personally and professionally
✨ Their companies' commit...

In this episode of the We Are PoWEr Podcast, we are joined by Natalie Reeves-Billing DL, a remarkable woman with an inspiring journey in education, innovation, and leadership. Natalie, a mum of three and co-founder of Builder Book UK, shares her passion for empowering young minds and creating equitable educational opportunities. As an award-winning author, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, and creator of The Animates Project, Natali...