As Christmas approaches, it’s easy to keep pushing even when you’re already exhausted. This episode is about slowing down when your energy is already low, not forcing yourself to power through just because it’s the end of the year.I talk about why rest doesn’t need to be earned, how boundaries can help before the break begins, and what it might actually be helpful to stop doing over the holidays.There’s also space here for neurodivergent people and parents of neurodivergent children, because this season can feel especially intense. I share ways to reduce overload, keep some structure, and be clearer about what you need from others.Leadership comes into the conversation too, particularly the signals we send about availability, rest, and burnout at this time of year. This episode is an invitation to approach Christmas with less pressure and more care for yourself.Highlights:(01:30) You don’t need to earn rest(04:30) Setting boundaries before Christmas(08:30) Reducing sensory overload and protecting routines(13:10) Managing emotional noise during the holidays(19:45) What leaders unintentionally signal about rest and burnout Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Money shapes the way we dream, plan and build our lives, yet it is also one of the hardest topics to approach with honesty. In this conversation with Clive Black, a Director at Shore Capital, we explore why so many UK entrepreneurs struggle to scale their businesses, and why racially underrepresented founders face even higher barriers when it comes to investment, visibility and confidence.Clive brings a thoughtful and surprisingly hopeful perspective. He talks about the cultural narratives that hold people back, the role of ambition in building something truly transformative, and the uncomfortable truth that systems are only as fair as the people operating within them. We dig into why access to capital is uneven, why so many great ideas never reach their full potential, and how communities can create their own networks of support.This is a conversation about money, yes, but it is also a conversation about belief, ambition, community and opportunity. If you have ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others never move beyond survival mode, this episode will give you a lot to reflect on.Highlights:(04:41) Why capital markets miss entire communities(09:12) The role of confidence and ambition in scaling a business(14:45) Why the UK struggles with billion pound thinking(22:00) How systemic barriers affect early stage funding(31:00) Why solving real problems is the greatest business opportunityTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Artificial intelligence promises efficiency, creativity, and innovation, but what happens when the speed of progress outpaces our humanity?In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Andy Miah, Chair in Science Communication and Future Media at the University of Salford. Andy has spent more than two decades exploring where art, science, and technology meet and what that means for how we live and work.We talk about what it really means to lead in the Gen AI era, how to embrace new technology without losing our sense of humanity, and why reflection matters just as much as innovation. From the unseen human cost of progress to the emotional impact on workplaces and education, this is a conversation about doing better, not just faster.Highlights:(03:18) The human cost behind rapid AI innovation(07:50) Generation AI and how it’s reshaping learning and identity(14:21) Why businesses must create space for AI experimentation(18:45) Encouraging transparency and psychological safety in the workplace(24:57) How to stay human while embracing AITake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
If you think the legal world is all stiff suits and old traditions, think again. My guest today, Bridget Tatham, is shaking things up from the inside. She’s a partner at Browne Jacobson, heads up their Birmingham insurance team, and leads on all things inclusion - but what really stands out is how she’s changing the game for future black lawyers through REACH, the firm’s mentoring programme. Bridget’s story is full of honesty, humour, and heart, and it shows exactly what happens when you use your position to pull others up with you.Highlights:(03:15) The childhood moment that sparked Bridget’s legal dream(10:42) Growing up in Bedford - and proving people wrong(22:18) Why REACH is changing the face of law(45:50) Creating space where everyone can truly belong(51:10) Doing good is good businessFind out more:1% Extense reportBridget TathamTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
In this special episode, we’re joined by professional basketball player and mental health advocate Kofi Josephs. Kofi’s story takes us far beyond the game - from the pressure of performing at the highest level, to the loneliness that can come with chasing a dream across continents. He opens up about loss, identity, and what it really takes to stay when walking away would be easier.This is an honest, powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, and learning how to find yourself in the moments that test you most.Highlights:(04:12) When chasing your dream starts to feel lonely(11:36) The thin line between fear and excitement(35:08) What depression really feels like from the inside(41:20) The story behind Why Not I(48:03) Learning to dance in the rainLinks from this episode:SamaritansOpen CounselingWhy Not IWhy Not I InstagramKofi Josephs InstagramTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Men’s mental health is still one of the hardest conversations to have, both at work and at home. Despite all the progress in recent years, too many men continue to stay silent, with devastating consequences. In this episode, I’m joined by Tim Wotton, who’s faced more challenges than most, living with cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes, and yet has built a life defined by resilience, discipline and hope. Tim shares what he’s learned about strength, survival, and why it’s time we change the way men are supported to talk about their mental health.Highlights:(05:03) Why silence is still mistaken for strength(11:37) Tim’s ‘power of three’ resilience philosophy(18:18) Discipline as the unglamorous key to survival(27:43) The unseen struggles hidden behind a smile(36:11) Why men still fear showing vulnerabilityFind out more:Paul McGee The SUMO Guy (Shut Up and Move On)‘How Have I Cheated Death? A Short and Merry Life with Cystic Fibrosis’ by Tim Wotton HERE and HERE.Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
What does it take to grow a global tech consultancy without losing sight of the humans who make it all happen? That’s exactly what Sarat Pediredla, co-founder and CEO of hedgehog lab, has managed to do. From two friends in Newcastle to a business working with Microsoft and Deliveroo, Sarat’s story is impressive. But what makes it powerful is how he’s put wellbeing at the heart of growth - even when it meant facing his own burnout. In this episode, we talk about what it really looks like to scale with soul.Highlights:(07:15) Protecting a team while battling burnout(14:40) The honesty of saying “I am burnt out”(21:05) Vulnerability, shame, and finding support through therapy(29:20) How hedgehog lab makes wellbeing a lived value(36:50) Why culture is their real competitive advantageFind out more:https://hedgehoglab.com/Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Starting a business can change lives. It can mean freedom, security, and the chance to shape your own future. But let’s be honest - if you’re from a racially marginalised community, there are still barriers stacked against you that hard work alone won’t fix. That’s why I’m so glad to be speaking with Professor Monder Ram OBE, director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston University. Monder has spent decades making sure these stories are heard and acted on, and in this conversation we get into what’s really going on, what needs to change, and the opportunities we’re missing if we don’t take inclusive entrepreneurship seriously.Highlights:(07:15) Why CREME is different from other research centres(15:40) The £75 billion opportunity for the UK(22:10) Three big barriers: money, markets, management(34:00) Business as a progressive force against toxic politics(44:20) Shifting the narrative from deficit to assetFind out more:Aston University CREME institute The Time to Change Report: A Blueprint for Advancing the UK’s Ethnic Minority Businesses, commissioned by NatWest Group https://www.aston.ac.uk/research/bss/abs/centres-hubs/creme/time-to-changeTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Leadership isn’t just about job titles or climbing the corporate ladder - it’s about how we show up for ourselves and the people around us. In this episode of The Wellbeing Rebellion, we’re joined by Hannah Awonuga, Global Inclusion Strategist and Executive Coach, who brings a refreshingly human perspective to what leadership really means today. With honesty and warmth, Hannah shares her own journey of shifting from rigid authority to empathetic, human-first leadership - along with practical insights to help you lead with more presence, purpose, and authenticity, wherever you are in your career.Highlights:(06:45) From people-first to human-first leadership explained(14:10) Not everyone should step into leadership roles(21:30) Future leaders need empathy and cultural intelligence(29:00) The difference between systems and real human needs(36:15) Finding your voice as everyday leadership practiceTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Alright rebels, this one’s a treat. Today, we’re joined by the incredible Tash Pennant - a woman who’s built a career (and a life) out of bringing people together in the most genuine, human way. From advising government leaders to hosting radio shows and making sure nobody leaves a room without feeling seen, Tash is known as the Connector for a reason. We’re talking about how real connection cuts through titles, how soft power is often the most powerful of all, and why being a decent human is still the ultimate networking strategy. Highlights:(03:10) Why Tash thought Ngozi owned a restaurant(12:45) Manners will take you round the world(24:30) How Tash built soft power, not loud titles(38:50) Living with MS: The 15-year journey(51:10) Toilets: The best networking spot(01:02:20) You’re not AI, set some boundaries!To find out more about Tash: visit www.tashpennant.co.ukConnect with Tash on LinkedIn: @TashPennantFollow Tash on Instagram: @TashPennantEmail Tash: tash@tashpennant.co.ukTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Carlton Brown - author, business leader, and the man bold enough to call me his work wife. We’re getting stuck into the real stuff: race, leadership, power, and why good intentions just aren’t enough. If you’ve ever felt like progress on equity is moving at a snail’s pace (or backwards some days), this one’s going to challenge you - in the best way.Highlights:(03:10) Carlton’s unexpected start... in pest control(11:22) Why purpose must be commercially viable(21:45) The moment the Black Entrepreneur Report began(30:08) What the Race Paradox actually means(40:12) Why your boardroom might be a bubble(53:17) The thing that still gives us hopeFind out more:Preorder The Race Paradox HERE.Breaking the Brown Glass Ceiling (Aurora whitepaper) HERE.Time to Change Report HERE.Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
This week, we're bringing you inside REG Connect 2025 - a game-changing event that shook up the Manchester business scene in all the right ways. I’m joined by Ngozi Weller and Wayne Bennett, the powerhouses behind it, to talk about how they pulled it off, why it matters, and what needs to happen next if we’re serious about racial equity in business. It’s honest, energetic and full of the kind of chat that gets people thinking (and doing).Highlights:(07:40) Why this event couldn’t afford to fail(19:15) From 50 to 200 – they showed up(32:58) Ngozi confronts award show’s lack of diversity(01:03:00) We don’t have a pipeline problem(01:10:30) Don’t DIY racial equity - here’s where to startFeatured Resources & Connections:View the full event details here: REG Connect 2025 – Event PageProfessor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at Aston Business School, co-authored the NatWest-backed report: “Time To Change: A Blueprint for Advancing the UK’s Ethnic Minority Businesses”.Wayne Bennett, Director of Made4Tech Global, specialises in recruiting diverse professionals across Technology, Business Change, and Transformation roles. Contact Wayne to learn more or connect directly.Ngozi Weller, Director at Aurora Inc., helps organisations embed meaningful diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into their culture and strategy. Reach out to Ngozi for tailored DEI support.Download the recent Aurora Whitepaper ‘Breaking The Brown Glass Ceiling – Unlocking Racial Diversity in Business Leadership’ by Ngozi Weller Official REG Connect 2025 Photos - The watermarked event photos are now live:📸 View & Download hereWant to be part of Manchester’s thriving business network? Join the Pro-Manchester community: Join Pro-ManchesterTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Ever wondered what it really feels like to lead inclusion work when the world seems to be pushing back? In this episode, I’m sharing what came up at our recent executive roundtable in London - no recording, just a closed-door, honest conversation between inclusion and HR leaders who are doing the work and feeling the weight of it. From burnout and budget cuts to shifting language and peer support, this one’s a reflective unpacking of where we are, what’s changing, and what’s still possible.Highlights:(01:02) Beyoncé and brave leadership? Yes please(04:11) Why Pride Month feels quieter this year(10:23) The tension between external comms and internal culture(17:52) Is DEI being quietly cut or rebranded?(22:14) The emotional toll no one talks about(29:08) Peer support isn’t a ‘nice to have’ Join the next roundtable:We're hosting our next Beyond the Backlash roundtable on Thursday 26 June 2025 in Manchester along with Global Recruitment Consultants Michael Page.Sign up HEREIf you’re a senior HR Director, Chief People Officer, Head of DEI, Responsible Business lead, or hold a similar leadership role, and you’d like to join this session or a future roundtable in London, Manchester, or Birmingham, you can express your interest here.Join us to be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of inclusive leadership.Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
This one’s been a long time coming. I’m joined by the brilliant Sally Pritchett - CEO of Something Big, champion of inclusive communication, and my personal friend - for a proper, honest chat about what it really means to be a good ally. Not in theory, not in hashtags, but in actual day-to-day action. We’re talking about using your privilege, showing up when it matters, and making real impact through business. Spoiler alert: she’s got a cold, I’ve got a cold, but the energy? Still 10/10. Highlights:(96:28) Allyship is a verb, not a vibe(10:38) Use your privilege like it’s your superpower(14:53) Pro-activist: Sally’s accidental mic-drop moment(28:08) Stop defending DEI like it’s optional(50:02) The 4 C’s that actually mean something(38:19) Diversity drives profit - it’s not just niceFind out more:Stormzy McDonald’s advertB-Corps HERE.Heinz DEI failures in their advertising HERE.Link to Something Big’s latest guide on Creating authentic, accessible and inclusive communication HERE.Links to Something BigSomething Big helps businesses create great places to work by delivering creative, effective and inclusive communication.Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
In this episode, we're joined by the brilliant Jason Spencer from ITV to talk about what inclusion really looks like behind the scenes - and why it’s not just good for the world, it’s good for business too. From authentic representation on screen to real accountability within teams, Jason shares what it takes to create a culture that actually matters. This one will definitely get you thinking differently about DEI, whether you’re in media or not.Highlights:(05:24) Why representation drives real results(09:12) The diversity dividend explained(17:46) How ITV builds inclusive culture from the inside(24:29) What makes inclusion good for business(39:50) Creating long-term change(43:23) Alicia Keys said it best…Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
This episode’s a bit of a special one. Clarke Carlisle - yes, that’s Clarke Carlisle - joins me for an honest, wide-ranging chat that covers everything from race and mental health to faith, football, fatherhood, and the many layers of identity. It’s raw, reflective and, at times, surprisingly funny. Clarke’s openness is something else, and I can’t wait for you to hear the kind of conversation that doesn’t happen often enough.Highlights:(08:43) The Mixed Race Misnomer(21:11) Death by a Thousand Micro-aggressions(43:00) When you strip away the layers, who’s left?(56:31) Reframing identity and recovery(1:03:00) Colourism in the dressing roomTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Zahoor Ahmad, who’s leading the charge at the Co-op when it comes to turning big talk about racial equity into real action. We’re getting into everything from unconscious bias to how data (yes, actual numbers) can help create fairer workplaces. Zahoor brings decades of experience, loads of honesty, and the kind of clarity that cuts through the fluff. This one’s essential listening if you’re serious about building truly inclusive cultures - not just performative posters in the hallway.Highlights:(2:10) Current Relevance of Racial Equity(5:20) Challenges and Misconceptions in EDI(11:34) Impact of Media and Public Perception(18:40) Structural Inequality and Data-Driven Change(37:43) Addressing Systemic Racism and Individual Experiences(46:07) The Role of Compassionate Leadership(49:31) Future Vision for EDI(55:37) Conclusion and Final ThoughtsZahoor Ahmad is Group Head of Social Mobility, Inclusion and Belonging for the Co-op group with over two decades of experience in equality, diversity and inclusion practice garnered across and range of industries, including the public, private and charitable sectors. He currently serves as a member of the Co-op Group’s Exec Board. As a graduate of psychology, he fosters a behavioural approach, and has been instrumental in pioneering approaches to tackling non-inclusive behaviours and structural inequalities. He has led D&I teams in the MoD, the finance sector, the emergency services and the charitable sector. He has worked in a wide range of multi-agency environments collaborating and leading programmes across education, health and early careers. He is a specialist inclusive coach and mentor, and frequent keynote speaker on topics ranging from socio-economic inequality to re-imagining inclusive leadership.Take the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
This episode is one I’ve been itching to share with you. I sat down with Suzy Levy, and we got straight into what it takes to build inclusive workplaces. Not box-ticking. Not surface-level diversity. Real inclusion that changes how people feel when they show up to work. Suzy’s got the kind of clarity and experience that makes you sit up straighter and think, “Right. That’s what we’ve been missing.” She’s also the author of Mind the Inclusion Gap, which, if you haven’t read, might just become your next highlight-all-the-pages kind of book. Highlights:(06:14) Inclusion is not about being nice(11:12) You’re not helping if you’re just doubling down on being nice(35:28) We all sit somewhere on the IST spectrum(47:14) You can’t event your way into equity(48:33) Inclusion is a skillset - not a personality traitFind out more about Suzy: Suzy Levy is a specialist in social change. She works with senior leaders across the public, private and third sectors to solve some of the most pressing social issues of our time. Suzy has three decades of experience leading change - everything from major technology upgrades to new product launches and organisational mergers. She brings a wealth of expertise, along with a combination of positivity and pragmatism, and is widely recognised for her strategic approach to inclusion and diversity.In addition to her client work as Managing Director at The Red Plate, Suzy holds a variety of board-level roles. She was a non-Executive Director in the UK government for 7 years (both at the Home Office and the Department for Education). Suzy currently sits on the Advisory Board at creative agency Improper, is the Chair of the Women's Sport Trust, and Chair of the Wimbledon Beach Volleyball Club.In 2023, Suzy published her first book, Mind the Inclusion Gap. It summarises decades of learning and is designed to help readers move beyond fleeting (and often divisive) interactions to become more confident, capable, and conscious when it comes to inclusion and diversity.Originally from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Suzy now lives in London with her partner and two children. Social Media Details: XInstagram LinkedInTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile...
We made it to 100 episodes! Honestly, when we kicked off The Wellbeing Rebellion, we thought we might squeeze out 50 at best. But here we are, still going, still growing, and still asking the big questions. In this episode, we're talking about happiness - not the fluffy kind that gets dismissed in corporate circles, but the kind that actually makes a difference at work. The kind that supports performance, retention, and real engagement. It’s a reminder that happy people don’t just feel better, they do better - and that should matter to every leader.Highlights: (0:52) Celebrating 100 episodes and the power of small beginnings(10:41) Why “happiness” at work isn’t just fluff - it’s a foundation for performance(21:11) The real reason micromanagement happens - and what to do about it(30:21) Three things you can do today to boost happiness at workTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here
Welcome back, rebels! Today’s episode is all about the power of play - and we’re not talking about office politics. Instead, we’re exploring how play can transform workplace culture, foster real connections, and create environments where people want to show up. Our guest, Scott Tibbitts, has built a legendary people-first culture in the most unexpected of places - space technology!From launching a company with just $7.20 in hardware store parts to achieving a 99% employee retention rate, Scott knows a thing or two about making work work. Highlights:(4:07) Scott's Career Journey(35:52) The Role of Play in Business Success(38:09) Specific Games and Activities(39:20) Challenges and Adaptations in a Modern Workplace(43:04) The Role of Leadership in Creating a Playful CultureFind out more:From the Garage to Mars: Memoir of a Space Entrepreneur: https://amzn.eu/d/d1ZaLku or https://www.scotttibbitts.com/bookScott’s StoriesTake the Aurora 360 Quiz: How Effective Is Your Company's Wellbeing Strategy? Click HereConnect with us here:Website: aurorawellnessgroup.co.ukLinkedIn: NgoziLinkedIn: ObehiAurora Company Profile 2025Book a Call here