Mad Influence

Helen Saul
  • 5.0 (13)
  • MARKETING
  • MONTHLY

Mad Influence is a podcast about the power of influence - and what happens when people choose to use it for good. Hosted by Helen Saul, Head of Marketing at one of the UK’s leading charities, it features conversations with founders, campaigners, and creatives who are using their platforms to make a meaningful impact, entertain the world or spread a positive message. This series explores how ideas spread, how connections are made and how we can all use our power more for good.

  1. 10 MAR

    Neuroscience, Nervous Systems & Navigating Pressure with Matt Follows

    How can someone pursue ambition, creativity and high performance without burning out along the way? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Matt Follows, a coach and performance psychologist who works with founders, creative leaders and senior executives operating in high-pressure environments. Before moving into psychology, Matt spent more than 15 years in the creative industries, working his way from junior copywriter to executive creative director. Today he helps leaders understand how stress, trauma and subconscious patterns can influence the way they work, make decisions and lead others. Drawing on training in clinical psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and multiple psychological disciplines, Matt works with individuals and leadership teams across organisations including Disney, National Geographic and Toyota. Matt’s perspective is shaped by his own experience of burnout. After years of pushing himself in the creative industries, he ended up in hospital at the age of 29 following a severe anaphylactic shock linked to alcohol during a shoot. The moment forced him to confront the cost of the lifestyle he had been living and rethink the relationship between ambition, identity and wellbeing. Not long afterwards, he stepped away from advertising and began rebuilding his career in psychology. As Matt puts it: “You can’t push your nervous system, you can’t push your physiology, you can’t push your brain continuously.” This conversation explores sustainable high performance, the hidden psychological drivers behind workaholism, and why many high achievers are motivated by a subconscious belief that they are “not enough”. Helen and Matt also discuss hustle culture, flow states, identity collapse after losing a job, and the difference between chasing external success and building a life you never feel the need to escape from. Music written by Joseph McDade Site: mattfollows.com  Follow Matt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattfollows/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattfollow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfollows/ Follow Helen Saul LinkedIn:⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/⁠ Follow Mad Influence YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod

    50 min

  2. 3 MAR

    Income, Influence & AI Clones with Monique Sar

    How do creators turn influence into income - and build a career that lasts beyond one viral moment? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Monique Sar, founder of De Vitesse, an agency focused on partnerships and influencer campaigns, and President of BNC Speakers, representing pro athletes, speakers and business leaders. Over the past decade, Monique has worked with Fortune 500 brands to secure high-value partnerships, helping creators move from visibility to sustainable revenue. Monique’s path into talent representation wasn’t linear. After building a successful career in finance, she made a leap into marketing following what she describes as a “movie moment” realisation that she was meant for something different. What followed included failed ventures, financial risk and rebuilding from scratch - experiences that now shape how she advises creators and founders today. As Monique puts it: “I do have this very bold vision that any creator that has over a hundred thousand followers should be earning six figures.” This conversation explores positioning, pricing and the realities behind brand deals - from why virality doesn’t equal value, to how creators can negotiate confidently, to what brands often misunderstand about return on investment. Helen and Monique also discuss offline activations, the resurgence of real-world community in a digital-first industry, and how AI is reshaping talent representation, including the legal and ethical questions that come with cloning your name and likeness. If you’re interested in the business behind influence - not just the highlight reel - this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to build credibility, command higher fees and create meaningful partnerships that go beyond likes and followers. Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Monique LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquesar/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/moniquesar.boss/ Follow Helen Saul: LinkedIn:⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/⁠ Follow Mad Influence YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod

    48 min

  3. 23 FEB

    Introductions, Influence & Impact with Rebecca Okamoto

    What if the only thing standing between you and being seen, heard and recognised is your clarity? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Rebecca Okamoto, a communication and clarity expert whose TEDx talk on how to introduce yourself has been watched around 2 million times. Rebecca works with what she calls “Lost Einsteins” - people whose thinking is valuable and original, but whose ideas fail to land because they struggle to explain their value in senior or executive settings. Rebecca’s work is rooted in experience. Earlier in her corporate career at Procter & Gamble, she had the opportunity to pitch a game-changing leadership programme to a senior vice president. After delivering what she believed was a compelling presentation, the response was blunt: “God, I love your enthusiasm. I have no idea what you said.” The programme went on to succeed, but the moment changed everything. Rebecca began studying attention, message flow and the science behind how people process information, developing what she now calls the 20-word approach - a way of introducing yourself or pitching an idea clearly in seconds, not minutes. This conversation explores why intelligence alone is not enough, how clarity can transform how you are perceived at work, and why the most overlooked talent is often just misunderstood. Helen and Rebecca discuss attention spans, imposter syndrome, audience awareness, the psychology of persuasion and the power of a well-timed pivot point. They also reflect on what it feels like to finally be heard - and how learning to be clear can shift careers, confidence and opportunity. Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Rebecca LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaokamoto/ Website: www.20words.com/ Follow Helen Saul LinkedIn:⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/⁠ Follow Mad Influence YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepodInstagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepodTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod

    46 min

  4. 16 FEB

    Purpose Paralysis, Pitch Pressure and Positive Change with Sinéad Gray at Kindred

    What does it take to build a successful agency without sacrificing culture, values or the people inside it? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Sinéad Gray, co-managing director of Kindred, a purpose-led PR and communications agency focused on campaigns that create positive change. Kindred has twice been named Agency of the Year at the Purpose Awards and works with organisations including BMW Mini, the Ministry of Justice and the British Heart Foundation. Sinéad began her career at Kindred as an account executive in 2009 and has worked her way through almost every role in the business. Today, alongside her co-MD Sharon, she leads an agency built around a simple principle - no positive change, no pitch. That commitment has meant turning down significant amounts of potential revenue and reshaping the agency’s entire client portfolio over time. As Sinéad puts it: “At some agencies, it’s a badge of honour that people will stay in the office until midnight or 2am the night before a pitch and you’re rewriting the work. That’s not how I want to work, it’s not how I want people here to work.” This conversation explores agency culture, purpose paralysis and the growing fear of getting things wrong in a polarised world. Helen and Sinéad discuss the realities of the pitch process, why saying no can be a strategic advantage, how to assess what positive change really means, and the responsibility leaders have to create environments that are ambitious without being toxic. They also reflect on grief, perspective, coaching, and why meaningful work should never come at the expense of the people doing it. Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Sinead and Kindred Instagram: www.instagram.com/sineadgray/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sineadgray/ Website: www.kindredagency.com/ Follow Helen Saul LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/ Follow Mad Influence YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod

    47 min

  5. 9 FEB

    Lived experience, legacy and life stories with Krish Patel

    What makes someone choose purpose over financial security, and keep taking action even when the path ahead isn’t clear? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Krish Patel, founder of Tales to Inspire, an organisation creating space for people to share real stories of resilience, challenge and change, particularly those whose voices aren’t always heard. Krish’s journey to this work wasn’t planned or linear. After playing professional football in his teens and early twenties, a series of experiences living and playing abroad reshaped how he understood obstacles, purpose and community. What started as informal conversations with people sharing personal experiences grew into Tales to Inspire, now working across homelessness, migration, disability and youth leadership. Alongside this, Krish has also founded StoryOak, capturing the life stories of parents and grandparents on film so families can preserve voices, memories and legacy for future generations. The idea was sparked by his own experience of loss and the realisation that we often know very little about the lives of those closest to us. This conversation explores the power of storytelling to build empathy rather than judgement, the responsibility organisations have to take lived experience seriously, and why action matters more than waiting for certainty. Helen and Krish also discuss purpose-led work, the realities of entrepreneurship without glamour, the role of community in a fragmented world, and what it means to stay human in an increasingly tech-driven age. Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Tales To Inspire: Instagram: www.instagram.com/talestoinspire/ YouTube:www.youtube.com/@talestoinspire Facebook: www.facebook.com/talestoinspire/ Website: www.talestoinspire.com Follow Helen Saul: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/ Follow Mad Influence: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod

    57 min

  6. 2 FEB

    Sobriety, Summits & Starting Again with Fell Foodie (Harrison Ward)

    What happens when recovery doesn’t come from reinvention, but from returning home and taking one careful step at a time? Content note: This episode touches on themes of mental health, suicidal ideation, alcoholism, and recovery. You can find support for these topics at: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk and www.thecalmzone.net In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Harrison Ward, also known as Fell Foodie, a self-taught cook and speaker who found sobriety, purpose and connection by bringing food into the hills of the Lake District. After a major breakdown in 2016, Harrison made the decision to get sober, leave city life behind and return to Cumbria. With borrowed boots and no long-term plan, he began hiking the fells close to home. What started as packed lunches in a rucksack slowly evolved into cooking thoughtful, restaurant-quality meals on a camping stove, and into a platform that has resonated with thousands of people seeking a more human and accessible relationship with the outdoors. This conversation traces Harrison’s journey through addiction, recovery and grief, and explores how cooking, walking and time in nature became tools for rebuilding routine, self-trust and mental health. Helen and Harrison discuss the power of being a beginner, the role of friendship in moments of crisis, and why influence doesn’t need to be loud, aspirational or perfect to matter. They also discuss accessibility in the outdoors, the risks of pedestal-building, imposter syndrome, and how brands and platforms can widen rather than narrow who feels welcome in natural spaces. As Harrison puts it:“The insignificance of being in the mountains puts a lot of problems into perspective.” Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Harrison Ward: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fellfoodie Website: www.fellfoodie.co.uk Follow Helen Saul: LinkedIn:⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/⁠ Follow Mad Influence: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod/

    46 min

  7. 26 JAN

    Success, Status & Survival with Roderick Jefferson

    What happens when the version of success you’ve spent decades chasing suddenly disappears, and you’re forced to rethink who you are, what matters and how you live? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Roderick Jefferson, a former corporate executive, speaker and author whose life and career were fundamentally reshaped after surviving a near-fatal stroke. Before his stroke, Roderick had built what many would recognise as a conventional success story: senior leadership roles, constant travel and the external markers of achievement that come with high-pressure corporate life. But the experience forced an abrupt pause - and a reckoning. His recovery became the starting point for a deeper re-evaluation of identity, ambition and the personal cost of success. As Roderick puts it: “I did corporate life way too much and way too well - to the point where it almost killed me.” This conversation explores what happens when achievement is stripped back to its foundations. Helen and Roderick discuss identity after trauma, the addictive pull of status and validation, and the moment when work begins to crowd out family, health and joy. They talk about redefining success, the importance of slowing down before your body forces you to, and why influence is often found not in titles or reach, but in presence, kindness and everyday human connection. Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Roderick Jefferson: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/roderickjefferson/ Website: www.roderickjefferson.com Instagram:www.instagram.com/roderick_j_associates/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@roderickjeffersonassociates Follow Helen Saul: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/ Follow Mad Influence: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod/

    45 min

  8. 19 JAN

    Culture, Critique & Community with Women in Brand

    What does it take to build brand and creative work that genuinely connects with culture - without defaulting to clout, pile-ons or empty critique? In this episode of Mad Influence, Helen Saul is joined by Tamira Hamden and Victoria Montgomery, co-founders of Women in Brand, a global community supporting women working across brand, marketing and creativity. Women in Brand was founded in response to a pattern Tami and Victoria kept seeing around them: talented women doing influential work, but not always feeling visible, confident or encouraged to take up space. Coming from different routes into brand (from publishing to teaching and communications) - they’ve both gone on to lead teams, build major brand projects and create spaces that centre community, care and creative confidence. As Tami puts it: “Inclusive spaces aren’t a nice to have. They’re the foundation for truly great creative work.” This conversation explores culture, critique and community - from how brands engage (and sometimes misstep) with subcultures, to the emotional labour of translating brand work inside organisations, to the impact of public criticism and hot takes on creative confidence. Helen, Tami and Victoria also discuss leadership, imposter syndrome, age and authority, and what it really means to use influence responsibly in an industry that shapes culture every day. 01:57 - Why Women in Brand began 08:34 - Culture, identity and creative collaboration 12:27 - Community as a leadership and brand strategy 18:43 - Confidence, authority and who gets heard in brand 23:57 - Age, leadership and finding your voice 34:56 - Criticism, LinkedIn pile-ons and creative harm 37:46 - What’s next for Women in Brand 42:05 - Influence, mentoring and moments that matter Music written by Joseph McDade Follow Mad Influence: YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madinfluencepod Instagram: www.instagram.com/madinfluencepod/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@madinfluencepod  Follow Women In Brand: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-brand Instagram: www.instagram.com/womeninbrand/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@womeninbrand Website: www.womeninbrand.online/ Substack: womeninbrand.substack.com  Follow Helen Saul: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helensaul/

    49 min
See All (29)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Mad Influence is a podcast about the power of influence - and what happens when people choose to use it for good. Hosted by Helen Saul, Head of Marketing at one of the UK’s leading charities, it features conversations with founders, campaigners, and creatives who are using their platforms to make a meaningful impact, entertain the world or spread a positive message. This series explores how ideas spread, how connections are made and how we can all use our power more for good.

Information

  • Creator
    Helen Saul
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Helen Saul
  • Show Website
    Mad Influence