The Brave

In the first episode of our new season Bethan talks to Marcus Wang of Coda Global Ventures about building businesses in and across the US, the UK and China, and draws on his experience in discussing how to navigate the complex relationships and subtle differences across cultures and marketplaces.Links from the episodecodaglobalventures.comMarcus on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Bethan is joined by executive coach and leadership mentor Anni Townend. Taking Anni's work as a starting point they discuss how senior leaders can create high-performing teams embedding psychological safety at the heart of their culture. Anni shares why curiosity, care and courage aren’t just good intentions: they’re the foundations of effective leadership.Links from the episode:Anni's website: annitownend.comFind Anni on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anni-townend-leadershipCollaboration Equation: collaborationequation.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Bethan chats with Gillian Ridley Whittle, founder of Peachaus, about her journey from a career in fast fashion to creating an ethical underwear and lifestyle brand. We talk about the industry's environmental and social issues and the lack of - and need for -  sustainable practices, and what the future might hold for the brands of today. Links from the episodePeachaus.comPeachaus on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Bethan talks with Phil Brunkard about developments in the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) with AI, and how AI can be used to make sense of IoT data. They explore different use cases, such as monitoring temperature and humidity in agriculture and manufacturing, and security concerns, including firmware exploits and denial-of-service attacks. Phil explains the rise of edge computing to process data locally, reducing latency and transmission costs, and we also touch on the future potential of AI and IoT in improving environmental management and creating smarter cities.Links from the episodeFind Phil on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Callaghan was an experienced programmer and musician when we realised there was a significant gap in the music studio booking experience. Everything was either managed offline, or handled via one-size-fits-all booking apps that didn't cater to the specific demands and challenges of bands and studios. If sometimes founders create a solution for themselves without an addressable market to go after, this definitely wasn't the case with Andy and Jammed. Unfortunately, Covid was just around the corner, with national lockdown in the UK temporarily closing his potential first customers. Nearly five years later and that challenging beginning is a distant memory, with 110 customers hailing from all over the world. Jammed's story is one of resilience, perseverance and using personal experience to develop a world-class product.Find Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andycallaghan/Jammed: https://jammed.app/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can capitalism and financial markets be a force for good? Rob Gardner certainly thinks so. Rob has a background in investment banking and pension funds, but as the founder and CEO of Rebalance Earth—an equity fund manager that invests in nature-based solutions—he believes that by redirecting capital towards the right things can help to create and maintain a world worth living in. During this fascinating and in-depth conversation, Rob and Bethan discuss the critical subject of tackling climate change and how where we invest our money can make a difference.Links from the episodeFind Rob on LinkedInRebalance Earth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Dana has been working in finance, in one way or another, for two decades, so it's safe to say he knows a thing or two about money. After starting out his career as a chartered accountant, Richard became Chief Financial Officer at Founders Factory Ltd in 2016, before launching Tembo Money in 2020. Tembo's mission is to democratise the concept of the 'Family Office'—a way for families to manage their money more effectively together, and something that previously had been the reserve of the wealthiest in society.During this conversation with Richard we touched on some really important and interesting topics, I hope you enjoy it!Links from the episodeFind Richard on LinkedInTembo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it can be difficult to feel optimistic about the future of the planet in the face of the threat posed by climate change, but Alex Robinson's positivity about how every single one of us can make a difference is infectious. Alex is CEO and founder of Hubbub, an environmental charity with a mission to inspire action that's good for the environment and for all of us. In this episode, Bethan had a fascinating conversation with Alex, where they discuss key topics such as the impact of individual action versus the need for structural change, as well as sustainability in the context of Capitalism.Links from the episodeFind Alex on LinkedInHubbub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For two decades, Sarah Mukherjee was Environment Correspondent for the BBC across TV, radio and online, including presenting 'Countryfile' on BBC One and 'Farming Today' and 'The Food Programme' on BBC Radio.Today, Sarah is CEO at IEMA, professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability, and promotes good science, better regulation and best practice—all while ensuring the lightest possible carbon footprint.In this episode we chat to Sarah about IEMA's work, their mantra that all jobs need to be green, and what businesses need to do in order to implement a culture of sustainability.Links from the episodeFind Sarah on LinkedInIEMA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking to Sally Chalk, the founder and CEO of Signapse. Signapse is an organisation dedicated to breaking down barriers with an AI sign language translator. In the midst of lockdown, a dynamic team of successful entrepreneurs, leading researchers, and deep tech experts joined forces to address the urgent needs of both hearing clients and Deaf individuals. Fueled by questions such as "how do I get this interpreted right now?" and "why can't I have access to what is being said?" they set out to create Signapse. Join us as we explore Signapse’s inspiring journey, innovative technologies, and commitment to making a positive impact.  Links from the episodeFind Sally on LinkedInSignapse BSL translation of this episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak to Peter Briffett the founder of Wagestream, a company dedicated to transforming the way frontline workers access financial services through employer-based benefits. Peter delves into the impact of monthly pay cycles on employees in the UK, emphasising the company's dedication to reducing the "poverty premium" and its mission to enhance the financial health of workers.Links from the episodeFind Peter on LinkedInWagestream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sat down with Ankit, the Co-founder and CEO of Climajo, a cutting-edge procurement platform dedicated to conscious brands. Climajo empowers climate-aware businesses by uniting a curated community of sustainable suppliers and partners. The platform goes beyond by providing clear reporting and metrics, such as CO2 output per product, to enable effective tracking.Tune in to hear Ankit share insights on the challenges of sustainable growth and discover compelling reasons to be optimistic about the future. Let's navigate the path towards a greener tomorrow together!Links from the episodeFind Ankit on linkedInClimaJoThe Sahaj Foundation (The Vriksh Initiative) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we step into the week of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), we're excited to share our latest episode featuring an insightful conversation with Ian Ormerod, the Co-founder and CEO of @Switch2Zero. This innovative green-tech startup has set a global mission — to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions for people and businesses everywhere.In this episode, we explore key themes like carbon offsetting, greenwashing, and corporate responsibility and delve deeper into the reason behind Ian choosing to leave a successful banking career to champion this mission. Join us in amplifying the conversation on climate action and reaching the path to net zero!Switch2Zero has also pledged to plant a tree for every Brave listener who signs up on their platform (it's free!). Check out the link below to find out more.Links from the episodeFind Ian on linkedInSign up at Switch2Zero to plant a tree Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I chat to Greg Lawton, co-founder of Nodes and Links, and delve into the transformative role of technology, particularly AI, in streamlining the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and mega projects.In an ever more complex operating environment, we examine what constitutes a world-class process and why it's crucial to effective project delivery. Our conversation extends beyond mega projects as we explore how lessons and principles from the largest scales can be applied by smaller businesses and across different industries.We also assess the value of traditional project management methodologies like Lean and Agile in a rapidly evolving landscape. Join us as we unpack these questions and their implications for project management in today's world.Links from the episodeFind Greg on LinkedInNodes and Links Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of two episodes featuring Phil Brunkard, an experienced Technology Leader with a passion for Digital Transformation and Innovation, we slip the surly bonds of Earth to explore the revolution happening within commercial space technology.The low earth orbit (LEO) sector is currently experiencing significant expansion. In this episode we explore the new markets and spaces this is opening up, and the opportunities it presents for businesses and consumers.We also look at the risks, both commercial and social, associated with this growth, such as space junk (Kessler Syndrome), privacy issues, and inconsistent regulation across national boundaries.Finally we look at long-term future of LEO technologies, and their potential to become a core pillar of digital infrastructure.Links from the episodeFind Phil on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something is changing. A great shift looms on the horizon, heralding the dawn of a new era for the internet as we know it. In this episode, I embark on a journey through the realms of the new online age, guided by the wise and insightful John Alderson, Head of SEO at Yoast. Together, we unravel the secrets of Google's intricate web, divine the patterns of evolving business trends and witness the forging of tools that shape the destiny of everything digital.Episode summaryWe discuss topics such as schema markup, IoT, and the monopolisation of e-commerce by, well, monopoliesThe importance of brand presence, narrative, and story is highlighted in a world where other aspects of a brand are replaceable.The fragmentation of the internet and the decline of platforms like Facebook and Twitter are discussed, impacting online conversations and collaborations.The risks of relying on "rented land" platforms and the value of owning a website for businesses are debated.The role of AI in shaping the web and its implications for marketers, including content creation for AI consumption, are explored.The concept of 'demand SEO', the future of voice search and potential legal and privacy issues are also discussed.The challenge of "solved query spaces" and whether the ultimate goal of search engines is canonical answers to every conceivable questionLinks from the episodeFind Jono online outside of rented land Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, our guest Maury Shenk, founder and CEO of LearnerShape, and Director and General Counsel of PeopleCert, talks with Bethan about the importance of lifelong learning in the fast-changing world we live in.They delve into the need for education to prepare people for the types of work required in the 21st century and the significance of personalisation in the future of education. They also explore the role of technology in enhancing traditional learning environments and creating a more flexible learning experience.Join us as we dive deeper into the future of education and the potential impact of technology on the way we learn.Links from the episodeLearnerShape.comFind Maury on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we explore how AI, with the specific example of chat GPT, is shaking up the marketing and wider content sectors, what we can use it for, and what are its strengths and weaknesses.This episode is a conversation between Bethan Vincent, founder of Open Velocity, Jon Paget, one of our senior partners, and Katie Thompson, managing director of content marketing agency Katie Lingo. It was originally broadcast as a live webinar in January 2023. If you're interested in attending future live events, you can sign up for email notifications on the open velocity website.Links from the episodeKatie LingoChatGPTFurther Reading Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new year is a time when a lot of us think about making positive changes to our health and fitness.In this episode, we interview founder and CEO Toby Cannon about the motivations and challenges behind Myles, an app supporting fitness and wellbeing in a work environment.We talk about the inspiration behind Myles, the challenges workers face when breaking free from their desks and the risks of sharing health data with your employer.Links from the episodeMylesWellbeing.comFind Toby on LinkedInMyles Challenges Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can we trust machines with commercial decision making? What are the advantages and limitations? Can we truly use data to get insights into irrational human preferences?In this episode I speak to Peter Denby, COO of Hyper Group, about decision intelligence. What is it? How are companies using it and how can machines augment human decision making.Links from the episodeFind Peter on LinkedInFind out more about HyperAbout The BraveFind out more at https://shows.acast.com/the-braveFollow The Brave on Twitter @TheBraveListenJoin our newsletter hereContact on hello@bethanvincent.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.