The Vanessa Podcast

Vanessa Sanyauke

The Vanessa Podcast is a business and culture podcast hosted by Vanessa Sanyauke, Founder & CEO of The Hill App & Girls Talk. On this podcast you will get a rundown of the latest news and hear from a diverse set of incredible people who have achieved great success against many challenges in the world of work. You will find out how they got to where they are and how you can too. If you want to level up, grab a drink and get ready to laugh, learn and level up!

  1. 12/15/2025

    EP 19: How Two Women Are Driving Tech Forward at Zalando

    “We should be the ministry of how; not the ministry of no.” — Florence MottayOn this special episode of The Vanessa Podcast; the show where we talk business, culture, and the real stories behind extraordinary people building their own lanes. I’m joined by two brilliant senior leaders from Zalando, recorded at Zalando HQ in Berlin the day after the Black Girls Tech Summit 2025.Meet my guests:Florence Mottay — VP Information Security & CISO at Zalando, leading the information security function and enabling the business to operate safely and confidently at scale.Siddhi Saraiya — VP Product Management (Customer Experience & Experimentation) at Zalando, a product leader working at the intersection of business needs, engineering trade-offs, and customer value.In this conversation, we go beyond job titles and get into the reality of leadership in tech from navigating failure and pressure, to building influence, sponsorship, and success on your own terms.In this episode, we discuss:Why both Florence and Siddhi chose Zalando and what drew them to the challengeHow to drive cybersecurity awareness in a large organisation (and why security is as much about people + culture as technology)The biggest difference between start-up speed vs corporate scale and how to adaptHow to process failure without letting ego run the show (“put it in the ego box”)Leading in high-pressure environments: routines, boundaries, and staying groundedWhat’s next for e-commerce, customer experience, and cybersecurity (including AI + commerce)What success looks like beyond the title; impact, family, and building great teamsReal advice for women in tech moving from mid-level to senior leadership🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping culture, business, and the future of work.🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts (and watch on YouTube).📱 Follow us on Instagram: @thevanessapodcast📱 Follow Vanessa: @vanessasanyauke (Instagram & TikTok)📌 Guests: Florence Mottay + Siddhi Saraiya (Zalando)

    34 min
  2. 12/01/2025

    Single & Searching: Ask the Experts — Psychotherapist x Matchmaker on Modern Love

    “Modern dating is confusing; so I brought in the experts.”In this expert-led episode of The Vanessa Podcast, we go deep into the emotional, psychological and cultural forces shaping dating in 2025.The Vanessa Podcast is all about honest conversations on career, business wealth, identity, relationships, success and self-awareness; helping women and men navigate the real challenges of modern life with clarity, compassion and data-driven insight.For this episode, I sat down with two incredible guests:Nathaniel Oke: Psychotherapist with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and couples around emotional wellbeing, masculinity, vulnerability and relational conflictSiobhan Copland: Elite matchmaker with 10+ years of experience guiding single professionals through the chaos of modern datingTogether we unpack the TRUTH behind why dating feels so difficult right now.In this episode, we explore:💔 Roster dating: why so many people are “keeping options” instead of choosing connection🔥 Situationships: how they start, why they feel addictive, and why they’re emotionally dangerous👀 Ghosting, avoidance & communication breakdowns in modern dating⚠️ Game-playing culture and why honesty feels risky in 2025💍 Marriage in 2025 & beyond: what the purpose is now, and how partnership has evolved😬 Toxic masculinity, emotional repression & the male intimacy gap💡 What healthy dating looks like, practically, emotionally and mentally🧠 How to date intentionally without losing your identity or standardsIf you’re single, dating, disappointed, curious, hopeful or just trying to understand why love feels so complex: this episode will bring clarity.🎧 Listen on Spotify + Apple Podcasts📲 Connect with the GuestsNathaniel OkeYouTube: ‪@thetalkingtherapist5595‬ Instagram: @thetalkingtherapistWebsite: https://talkingtherapyclinic.com/Siobhan CoplandInstagram: @siobhancopland Website: https://cupidinthecity.com/✨ Follow The Vanessa PodcastInstagram: @thevanessapodcast @vanessasanyaukeTikTok: @vanessasanyauke

    55 min
  3. 11/16/2025

    EP 17: Single & Searching: Why are so many of us single?

    “We’re all successful, emotionally intelligent and still single. Why?” In this powerful roundtable episode of The Vanessa Podcast, host Vanessa Sanyauke sits down with three incredible guests; Alicia Richardson, Gus Nyberg, and Gavin Thomas to unpack the truth about modern dating, loneliness, and love in 2025. From male loneliness and toxic online culture to the rise of hyper-independence among women and the data behind why nearly half of Black women have never been married, this conversation pulls no punches. Honest, funny, and painfully relatable; this is one of the realest discussions you’ll hear this year. Together, they explore: 💬 Why so many millennial men and women are single despite wanting love 📊 Data showing 49% of Black women in the U.S. and 44% of Black British Women have never married 🧠 The “boyfriend embarrassment” era: are women de-centring men for good? 💔 How red-pill and incel culture are shaping male behaviour and 1 in 4 young men report feeling lonely 💸 Whether women really value effort over income (new Hinge data) 💞 How to date intentionally without losing yourself If you’ve ever wondered why connection feels harder than ever; this episode will make you think, laugh, and maybe heal a little too. 🎙 Guests:Alicia Richardson: CEO & Founder of Create Connect and Black Create Connect Gus Nyberg: Transformational Speaker and Theologian Gavin Thomas: Lecturer in Psychology, CBT Therapist & Counsellor Let us know what you think about the topics in this episode by commenting, sharing and leaving us a 5 star review so more people can find our community! 📲 Follow The Vanessa Podcast: Instagram: @thevanessapodcast @vanessasanyauke TikTok: @vanessasanyauke LinkedIn: Vanessa Chiedza Sanyauke Follow our guests: Alicia: @aliciatoyaldn @createconect  ⁨@blackcreateconnect⁩  Gus: @gus.nyberg

    51 min
  4. 09/21/2025

    EP 16: From London to LA: Inside Fashion, Talent & Entertainment

    “I wanted to create something for myself — something that looked as good as it smelled.” – Ashley-Gianna Hallett On this episode of The Vanessa Podcast — the weekly show where we talk business, culture, and the real stories behind extraordinary people building their own lanes — I sit down with Ashley-Gianna Hallett, branding professional, talent manager, and founder of the luxury candle brand Ya Thamani. Ashley is British-born and now based in Los Angeles, with a career spanning brand partnerships, fashion, and entertainment marketing. She’s worked with global names like Burberry, Elite Model Management, MAC Cosmetics, Hugo Boss, Fenty Beauty, and Cartier, and today mentors the next generation of creative talent. She’s also the founder of Ya Thamani — a luxury candle line she built during the pandemic that reflects her love of fragrance, storytelling, and design. About Ashley-Gianna Hallett:Ashley has over a decade of experience across fashion, brand partnerships, and talent management. She has managed campaigns for household names, worked with artists and public figures across entertainment, and now runs her own luxury brand while mentoring up-and-coming talent. In This Conversation, We Discuss: Growing up in South London and dreaming beyond borders The graft it took to break into fashion without connections Lessons from Burberry and Elite Model Management How she transitioned into talent management and brand partnerships The behind-the-scenes of negotiating celebrity campaigns Moving from London to Los Angeles and navigating the culture shift What British creatives bring to Hollywood The origin story of Ya Thamani, and why she built a luxury candle brand Bootstrapping a product-based business and breaking into retail Her proudest founder moments (including features in Allure) The common thread running through her career: passion This is a conversation about resilience, creativity, and carving out space in industries that weren’t built for us. 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode!🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📱 Follow us on Instagram: @thevanessapodcast📱 Follow Vanessa: @vanessasanyauke (Instagram & TikTok)📱 Follow Ashley: @yathamani on Instagram

    51 min
  5. 09/07/2025

    EP 15: She Shaped Apple’s Culture — Now She Coaches Leaders

    “The worst you will get is a no.” – Shirleena Celestine On this episode of The Vanessa Podcast — the weekly show where we talk business, culture, and the real stories behind extraordinary people building their own lanes; I sit down with Shirleena Celestine, Executive Coach and Organizational Culture Strategist. Shirleena's work helps leaders bring human connection into the workplace. Before launching her consultancy, she spent nearly a decade at Apple, where she drove inclusive product and culture strategies for Apple Music, Podcasts, Beats by Dre, Shazam, and Platoon — collaborating with influential figures like Blair Underwood and Savannah James. About Shirleena Celestine: Shirleena is an Executive Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Culture Strategist. With a PhD in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion — the first of its kind globally and almost ten years at Apple, she now helps leaders and organisations transform culture, inclusion, and impact. In This Conversation, We Discuss: Growing up in Sheffield and the early lessons that shaped her valuesDiscovering her dyslexia and reframing education on her own termsBecoming the first in her family to graduateThe power of volunteering and building community inside AppleLeading groundbreaking programs like Beats Academy and The She ConversationMoving from the UK to California and the lessons in adapting to new culturesKnowing when to leave: the courage to exit a role at the right timeWhy she believes human connection is the foundation of modern leadershipHer leap into executive coaching and building her own practiceWhat leaders need to hear in 2025 about resilience, inclusion, and authenticityThis is a conversation about resilience, leadership, and daring to put humanity at the centre of how we lead. 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode!🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📱 Follow us on Instagram: @thevanessapodcast 📱 Follow Vanessa: @vanessasanyauke (Instagram & TikTok) 📱 Connect with Shirleena on Linkedin: Shirleena Celestine

    1h 3m
  6. 08/25/2025

    EP 14: She Built a Seven-Figure Retreat Empire-And Won Big

    “Rest is a power move.” – Christina Rice On this episode of The Vanessa Podcast — the bi-weekly show where we talk business, culture, and the real stories behind extraordinary people building their own lanes — I sit down with Christina Rice, Founder & CEO of Omnoire, a global wellness platform for Black women and women of color, and Retreat Like a Boss, a program that helps leaders and entrepreneurs design, market, and sell out transformational retreats. Christina’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical rest. From pivoting her career in PR and entertainment to launching one of the most successful wellness retreat businesses in the world, she shares the behind-the-scenes truths of building a brand that has touched thousands of lives across the globe. About Christina Rice:Christina is a wellness founder, entrepreneur, and retreat strategist who has hosted luxury retreats in Bali, Jamaica, South Africa, and beyond. Through Omnoire and Retreat Like a Boss, she’s built a community of thousands, while mentoring other leaders to scale their own wellness and retreat businesses with intention, profitability, and purpose. In This Conversation, We Discuss: The $100K pivot: how Christina turned an idea into a global retreat business Why rest is not laziness but a leadership strategy The hardest lessons in building a luxury brand during a recession The power of designing spaces that are brave, not just safe What she’s learned about hiring, managing, and letting go as a founder The role of intuition and faith in scaling a purpose-led business How she navigated self-doubt and kept going when everything told her to quit Why “resilience in real-time” is every founder’s greatest skill The blueprint for creating retreats that sell out and transform lives How to build a wellness brand that goes beyond buzzwords If you’ve ever thought about launching retreats, building a purpose-driven brand, or simply redefining what success looks like in wellness and entrepreneurship — this episode is packed with wisdom and strategy you can use. 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode!🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📱 Follow us on Instagram: @thevanessapodcast📱 Follow Vanessa: @vanessasanyauke (Instagram & TikTok)📱 Follow Christina: @omnoire | @retreatlikeaboss

    56 min
  7. 08/10/2025

    EP 13: The Human Design Secrets That Will Change Your Life

    “Your intuition is your most valuable asset and you’ve had it all along.” – Aycee Brown On this episode of The Vanessa Podcast; the weekly show where we talk business, culture, and the real stories behind extraordinary people building their own lanes. I sit down with Aycee Brown, a spiritual guide, psychic medium, astrologer, human design expert, and author with over 15 years of experience working with high-profile leaders, celebrities, creatives, and seekers. We dive into how to recognise and trust your intuition, unlearn the patterns holding you back, and use tools like Human Design to lead, heal, and manifest in a way that’s true to you. About Aycee Brown: Aycee Brown is a trusted spiritual advisor known for helping leaders and creatives merge intuition with impact. Through her work in human design, astrology, psychic mediumship, shadow integration, and karmic soul guidance, she helps clients navigate personal and professional relationships, break generational patterns, and embody their own magic. She is the author of the forthcoming book Embody Your Magic. In This Conversation, We Discuss: How Aycee discovered her psychic and mediumship gifts and the moment she stopped hiding from themWhy unlearning is essential for personal transformationThe five Human Design types and how understanding yours can transform your career and relationshipsHow to manifest from deep self-trust instead of “spiritual performance”The role of shadow work in healing and leadershipHow to navigate relationships when you understand someone’s design typeBreaking free from karmic loops and cultural conditioningThe intersection of leadership, spirituality, and systemic inequalityWhy reconnecting to your body unlocks your full intuitive powerAycee’s unique approach to guiding people through their “shadow canyon”This episode blends deep spiritual insight with practical tools you can apply right now; whether you’re leading a company, creating art, or simply ready to live more in alignment. 🔔 Subscribe now and never miss an episode! 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📱 Follow us on Instagram: @thevanessapodcast 📱 Follow Vanessa: @vanessasanyauke (Instagram & TikTok) 📱 Follow Aycee: @ayceebrown

    56 min
  8. 08/04/2025

    EP 12: The Tax & Money Mistakes That’ll Cost You in 2025

    “You’re making money. Now what?”That was the question I posed to two of the most insightful women I know when it comes to money, mindset, tax and HMRC:💸 Fi Titus — Chartered accountant, startup founder, and co-founder of Coco Financial (aka “The Financial Fairy Godmother”)📊 Stella Ezeogu — ACCA-qualified tax strategist, ex-HMRC + HM Treasury advisor, and founder of Accountstar On this episode of The Vanessa Podcast ; the weekly show where we break down money, careers, and the real-life stories of extraordinary people building their own lane — we dive into the changing financial landscape and what you need to know in 2025 whether you're a business owner, freelancing, running a side hustle, or navigating a 9–5. In this episode we discuss: The financial red flags HMRC is cracking down on in 2025 Why you might be overpaying tax (and how to fix it) What the Company’s House U-turn really means The quarterly tax changes coming to side hustlers Hidden tax reliefs working people are missing How to protect your pension if you're earning over £100k How to build wealth without “get rich quick” energy Why too many founders pick the wrong business structure How to prep for uncertain economies without panic The mindset shift women need to close the wealth gap Whether you're scaling your business, filing your first return, or just tired of feeling confused about money — this one’s full of gems. 📱 Follow the guests on Instagram:@cocofinancial (Fi)@accountstar_ (Stella) 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube📱 Follow me on Instagram & TikTok: @vanessasanyauke📱 Follow the show: @thevanessapodcast🔔 Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode!

    44 min

About

The Vanessa Podcast is a business and culture podcast hosted by Vanessa Sanyauke, Founder & CEO of The Hill App & Girls Talk. On this podcast you will get a rundown of the latest news and hear from a diverse set of incredible people who have achieved great success against many challenges in the world of work. You will find out how they got to where they are and how you can too. If you want to level up, grab a drink and get ready to laugh, learn and level up!