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The Courageous Leaders Podcast aims to inspire leaders to step into their courageous zone, be the leader they know they can be and discover the mindset skills and behaviours to take their leadership to the next level.
So listen in, get inspired on how you can grow your leadership impact. Leave a legacy you can be proud of, and build an environment for future leaders to thrive.
Who is Joanna Howes?
Joanna Howes is an award-winning international coach, behavioural expert, specialising in leadership and performance coaching and No 1 best selling international co-author.
Her focus is to help individuals and teams activate their full potential, so they can step into their courageous zone to maximise their influence, build their resilience and take the action needed to become high performers and future-ready leaders.
Joanna is a unique phenomenon within her industry, with over 20 years’ experience working internationally with some of the world's most awarded advertising agencies and leading them to operational and leadership success. Her blend of both innovative operational and transformative change solutions empowers organisations to create environments that are supportive and fearless for their employees.
Website: https://thechangecreators.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@courageousleaderspodcast
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the.changecreators/
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/courageous_leaders/
Newsletter: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54
197 Episodes
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Ever made a risky decision at work… that ended in record-breaking results? Pete Markey did.. And it set the tone for Boots’ campaigns for the next four years. In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Boots’ Former CMO shares quick-fire insights, 80s nostalgia, and a surprising talent for product jingles. Find out: ⚡ What he loves (and hates) about marketing ⚡ The celeb life he wants ⚡ The risky ad move that paid off big ⚡ His wild 80s music party trick It’s fast, fun, and full of unexpe...
How do you lead with kindness – and still drive high performance? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Pete Markey, Former Chief Marketing Officer at Boots UK, and one of the most respected marketing leaders in the country. Pete shares his story, from early knockbacks to board-level leadership, and explains why kindness, vulnerability, and clarity have become his most powerful leadership tools. We Cover: 01:18 – Starting out in finance and how it shaped his lea...
Are you midlife and feel like it’s too late to start over? Jane Evans has just two words for you… In this week’s Fast & Curious, Jane Evans brings unapologetic honesty, razor-sharp wit, and just the right amount of “don’t-mess-with-me” energy: Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find: ⚡ The one book that turned her approach to leadership upside down ⚡ Why post‑menopause might be the best phase of life ⚡ Dogs, 80s nostalgia, and the quickest way to kill a brilliant idea ⚡ Her brutally honest r...
What happens when you’re told your career’s over at 50? In this episode of the Courageous Leaders Podcast, I speak with Jane Evans, award-winning creative director and founder of The 7th Tribe and one of her generation’s most successful female creatives. From being the first woman in multiple creative departments to launching a global movement to fight midlife invisibility, Jane’s story is raw, inspiring, and a wake-up call for how we treat women over 50 in the workplace. We Cover: 01:10 – ...
What’s the biggest myth about being a CEO? Josh Harris shares all. In this week’s Fast & Curious, the Neverland London CEO brings wit, warmth, and the occasional swear word (thanks to his toddler). Find out: ⚡ For Josh, what would instantly rule someone out in an interview? ⚡ Who he would love to swap roles with for the day in his office ⚡ And the brand collab he’s dreaming of It’s quick, honest, and packed with moments every leader (and parent) will relate to. 📺 Josh’s full Fast &...
Have you ever wondered if the best move in your career might be walking away? On this week’s episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sat down with Josh Harris, CEO of Neverland London. Josh made the bold decision to step away from the security of corporate life and it turned out to be the best thing he could have done. We talk about the emotional weight of leadership, the pressure to protect people, and the challenge of building a business that looks after purpose, people and profits tog...
Ever made a decision under pressure that you instantly regretted? Maybe it was to avoid conflict, keep the peace, or just make the discomfort stop. I’ve been there and it nearly cost me my confidence as a leader. In this solo episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I open up about how pressure is the real test of your leadership. We Cover: 01:14 – The two ways leaders make decisions under pressure 02:22 – The personal story that changed how I lead 03:51 – What actually triggers your pre...
If LinkedIn had a no-fluff filter… How much content would survive? We put Elisabetta Torretti, in the hot seat to find out, 🌍 The best and worst thing about starting over in a new country 📊 Her blunt advice for anyone tying self-worth to metrics 📱 The habit she tells others to break… but can’t break herself 💌 And the weirdest DM she’s ever received Watch the clip now and don’t miss the full episode for more curious moments. 📺 Elisabetta’s full Fast & Curious episode d...
How do you turn personal struggles into a platform that changes lives? In this episode of Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Elisabetta Torretti, founder and CEO of Mint and Lemon, who helps founders and teams show up online with clarity and confidence. From moving to London at 25 without speaking English, and overcoming an eating disorder, to growing 100k LinkedIn followers in a year, Elisabetta’s story is a masterclass in courage, reinvention, and building a personal brand that opens...
⏰ 6:07am. Twice a week. That’s when Check Warner sets her alarm. Why so precise? 👀 That’s just one of the things you’ll discover in this week’s The Fast & The Curious with Matt & Check, Co-Founders of Ada Ventures. From parenting lessons to the startup ‘rules’ they ignored, this is the side of two highly successful founders you won’t find on Google. 🎧 Take a listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-courageous-leaders-podcast/id1594924295 📺 Watch now on YouTube, full Cou...
What happens when two unlikely co-founders challenge everything about the venture capital world? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Check Warner and Matt Penneycard, the duo behind Ada Ventures. They open up about money, stress, parenthood, relentless rejection and what it takes to build a business from nothing but trust and audacity. If you’ve ever wondered how to start a company with zero roadmap, navigate co-founder friction, or fundraise against the odds th...
What do penis pens, naked yoga and an erotic platform... All have in common? Lauren Spearman reveals in her The Fast & The Curious episode. Cannes chaos to 9pm bedtimes This one moves fast and nothing is off limits. 🙃 What did her family buy her that left her speechless? 💸 Why have none of her invoices been paid this month? 🍷 What’s her go-to hobby that involves wine and a fancy tablecloth? 👀 And which platform would she love to collab with purely for fun? You’ll l...
What’s stronger, self-discipline or self-awareness? Which one would you choose? We put Ross Anderson in the hot seat for The Fast & The Curious. From topless butler to mindset mentor, He’s got stories, surprises, and a serious take on growth that’ll make you stop scrolling. 🧠 What’s the one tool he swears by for instant stress relief? 📺 Which guilty pleasure TV show does he watch on loop? 🏆 Which Guinness World Record does he want to break next? 🧊 And why ice baths don’t work for him. 📺...
What if your worst life chapters could become your greatest teachers? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I sit down with Ross Anderson, psychologist, founder of Beyond Baseline, and someone who turned chaos into clarity. Ross shares the pivotal moments that forced him to choose between staying broken or building something better. We talk about the courage it takes to rewrite your identity, to walk away from the life you were handed, and to chase a version of yourself th...
Does Ryan Gosling look like Rodney Trotter? This is a debate I never thought I’d be having. I love doing The Fast & The Curious with my guests… But answering the questions myself? Way harder. And way more fun. With my husband Kev firing the questions, I had nowhere to hide, just honest, candid, and occasionally ridiculous answers. This teaser clip is just a taste of what we got into… Watch the full episode on YouTube to find out: 😴 Do I snore? 🧠 Which leadership trait I'm st...
If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your voice, or your path, this episode is for you. For the first time on The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m not the one asking the questions. This time, it’s my husband Kevin behind the mic with myself in the ‘guest’ chair. We unpack the moments that defined how I lead today: grief, pressure, burnout, and what it really takes to rebuild after walking away from a version of ‘success’ that wasn’t serving me. We Cover: 00:00 – Introduction - Jo in the gue...
What's the most unhumble thing you have done? And what rule would you break? We put Stefanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble, in the hot seat for our latest episode of The Fast & The Curious and let’s just say, her answers were as bold as her brand. In just a few minutes, we found out: 👀 The rule she’d break if no one could stop her 📧 What she’s done saying sorry for 🎶 Her go-to confidence anthem before a big moment This was a lot of fun to do. Listen to the clip,...
What does it really take to step into your purpose, even when it scares you? In this episode, I’m joined by Stefanie Sword-Williams, the fearless founder of F*ck Being Humble. She opens up about her journey from advertising to creating a global movement, what drives her, and why she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. We explore courage, burnout, and how to find meaning when life throws you off track. We Cover: 01:51 – How starting Fuck Being Humble was Stefanie’s boldest move 06:43...
Danny Dyer or Peter Crouch? Negroni or Yorkshire Tea? We put Leah Spears in the hot seat for our latest episode of The Fast & The Curious. And her answers never disappoint 🔥 From bold picks to unexpected truths... This one moves fast, and nothing is off limits... 👀 What would she name her racehorse? 🍽 Why would she say yes to being on First Dates? 🤯 What’s harder: being a mum or managing creatives? 🙋♀️ And what advice does she give to the next wave of bold women in business? ❌ No filters...
What happens when you stay true to yourself even when the world tells you to change? In this episode of The Courageous Leaders Podcast, I’m joined by Leah Spears, Head of Brand Strategy at Paddy Power. She shares the personal moments that shaped her leadership, from navigating judgement based on appearance to stepping into bold, visible roles. We explore confidence, curiosity, and what it takes to lead with integrity in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy. We Cover: 01:22 – Why Lea...
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