We.Are.Powerful.

James Russell & Alex Sellers
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Inspiring stories from people who have dared to affect change. Through candid conversations with change-makers, we are celebrating real experiences and providing practical insights that spark action, inspire change and build cultures where individuals and teams thrive. We are powerful when we choose to act. Visit the We.Are.Powerful website for more support and resources.

  1. Sep 27

    The Power of One Person Believing in You | Tracie Nemeth on Social Mobility, Self-Belief and Giving Back

    What difference can one encouraging conversation make? In this uplifting and deeply personal episode of the We Are Powerful Podcast, James Russell and Alex Sellers welcome Tracie Nemeth to share her remarkable story of overcoming a challenging childhood marked by poverty, uncertainty and trauma. Tracie reflects on the powerful influence of a teacher who saw potential in her when she couldn't yet see it in herself. A few simple words of encouragement became a pivotal turning point, helping her develop the self-belief to make different choices and shape a brighter future. The conversation explores social mobility, the role of community, the importance of positive role models and why small acts of kindness can have life-changing consequences. Tracie also shares her passion for supporting young people through her work with Break Charity, a Norfolk-based organisation supporting children and young people in and leaving care. This episode is a powerful reminder that while we may not always realise it, we all have the ability to influence someone's future through the time, belief and encouragement we offer. In this episode: Tracie's experience growing up in difficult circumstancesThe teacher who changed the course of her lifeWhy self-belief is often built through the belief of othersThe realities of social mobility and opportunityHow volunteers, mentors and community organisations can make a lasting differenceWhy visibility and access to opportunities matter for young peopleThe value of giving back and becoming a "net giver"How small acts of kindness can create powerful ripple effectsKey Quotes "When you have that self-worth and that self-belief bolstered, that's the foundation for everything." "You can be useful to someone in a moment, and it will always be worth it." "If you see the good thing in someone, tell them." "Life can be a lottery. That's why it takes more people rallying around young people and opportunities." "When you give back, you cannot fail to have an impact in your local community." Resources Mentioned Break Charity Supporting children and young people in care and leaving care across East Anglia. https://break-charity.org We Are Powerful https://wearepowerful.org About Tracie Nemeth Tracie Nemeth has worked in financial services for over 20 years, is an award-winner marketer and proud Mum to two young daughters. Having come from a background impacted by poverty, violence and trauma, she passionately advocates for the role we can all play in supporting social mobility - both for school students and those who are seeking opportunities and pathways in the workplace. Since January 2026, she has expanded into keynote speaking, drawing on both her lived experience and professional career to speak on social mobility, resilience and the transformative power of opportunity. Connect with Tracie - Search for Tracie Nemeth on LinkedIn.

    The Power of One Person Believing in You | Tracie Nemeth on Social Mobility, Self-Belief and Giving Back

  2. Sep 13

    Connected Autonomy: Why Real Change Happens Between People, Not Through Process with Karen Lord

    Why do so many change initiatives fail, even when organisations invest heavily in new systems, training programmes and transformation plans? In this episode of We Are Powerful, James and Alex are joined by systemic coach Karen Lord to explore a different way of thinking about change. Drawing on more than two decades of experience across sectors, Karen argues that organisations often focus on the visible aspects of change while overlooking the human dynamics that ultimately determine success. The conversation explores why resistance is rarely about the change itself, how organisations become trapped in optimisation mindsets, and why genuine transformation requires curiosity, experimentation and what Karen calls, "connected autonomy". Karen shares practical examples from healthcare, charities and large organisations to illustrate how teams can unlock innovation, improve engagement and create lasting change when people are trusted to think, learn and solve problems together. In this episode we discuss: What systemic coaching is and how it differs from traditional executive coaching. Why organisations often solve the wrong problem and focus on symptoms rather than causes.The difference between the "visible" and "invisible" economies of an organisation.How optimisation can unintentionally drive decline when circumstances change.Why curiosity is one of the most important leadership capabilities during periods of uncertainty.The power of peer-to-peer influence over hierarchical change programmes. Why Karen avoids labels such as "change agent" and believes change agency belongs to everyone. How boards and leaders can benefit from the "wisdom of crowds".Real examples of teams transforming performance through mindset shifts rather than new procedures.How systems naturally rebalance and regenerate when people are given the freedom and agency to contribute. Key Takeaways ✅ Notice what your results are telling you. ✅ When current approaches stop delivering results, more optimisation is rarely the answer. ✅ Curiosity often creates more progress than expertise. ✅ Sustainable change happens through relationships and conversations, not instructions. ✅ Every person in an organisation has the capacity for change agency. ✅ Culture shifts when people understand both the visible and invisible dynamics of the systems they work within. Memorable Quote "Connected autonomy. It's peer to peer that does it. It's not the consultant at the front of the room or a directive from the board. It doesn't work that way. It works systemically and humanly." - Karen Lord Find Out More You can connect with Karen Lord | LinkedIn, where she regularly shares practical tools and insights on systemic leadership, mindset and organisational transformation.

    Connected Autonomy: Why Real Change Happens Between People, Not Through Process with Karen Lord

  3. Jun 17

    Control What You Can: Purpose, Belief and Building Opportunity with Hannah Oyewole

    In this episode we speak to Hannah Oyewole, Author, TEDx speaker and CEO and founder of Young Ladies Club, a social enterprise that has supported over 10,000 young women to raise their aspirations and fulfil their potential. Hannah shares her journey growing up in Hackney and how she chose a different path, turning adversity into purpose and impact. We explore the role of belief, habits, and personal responsibility play in creating change, alongside practical ways to overcome limiting thinking. This is a grounded conversation about purpose, forgiveness, and taking action - even when you start with very little. Key Topics Rewriting limiting beliefsFinding purpose in a busy worldThe power of daily habitsWhy forgiveness unlocks progressCreating opportunity through actionKey Insights You can’t control everything — but you can control how you respond. Hannah focuses on attitude, beliefs, habits, and daily actions as the foundation for change.Beliefs can be rewritten. Actively identifying negative thoughts and consciously replacing them with more constructive ones is a practical way to shift direction.Purpose is discovered through reflection, not busyness. Creating space to step back, think, and ask honest questions is essential for clarity.Forgiveness unlocks movement. Letting go of past experiences or self-judgement creates the conditions for change.Key Takeaway Change starts with what you can control: your mindset, your habits, and the actions you take next. Links: Home - The Young Ladies Club I Dare You: Roll the Dice of Life: Oyewole, Hannah: 9780957557901: Amazon.com: Books TEDx https://youtu.be/Fi0Vkoa8fc4?si=6otVtyY4BDnAUuQU

    Control What You Can: Purpose, Belief and Building Opportunity with Hannah Oyewole

  4. May 18

    Designing for Behaviour, Not Just Space: Steve Henigan

    You Win or You Learn: Culture, Space and the Reality of Work. In this episode James and Alex speak to Steve Henigan, Founder & MD of HCG, about the reality behind workplace culture and transformation. This conversation goes beyond office design, exploring how leadership behaviour, clarity, and culture shape whether workplaces actually work. Steve shares his journey from corporate roles to building his own consultancy, along with powerful lessons from swimming the English Channel and applying performance thinking to business. Key Topics Why great offices don’t always create great cultures“You win or you learn” – reframing failureLessons from swimming the English ChannelThe importance of leadership visibility in changeHybrid working: balancing people, clients, and business realityWhy behaviour matters more than perks or policies Key Takeaways You can design the perfect space on paper. But if people don’t feel safe to be themselves within it, it remains just that - space. Culture is created through behaviour, not designLeadership visibility is the single biggest driver of changeBig challenges become possible when broken into small stepsThere is no perfect model, only clarity about what mattersPeople don’t need more perks, they need permission Links Steve Henigan: LinkedInHCG: HOME | HCGWe.Are.Powerful: wearepowerful.org

    Designing for Behaviour, Not Just Space: Steve Henigan

  5. Apr 24

    Fit for Life – Community, Resilience and the Power of Belonging with Chris Herbert

    Guest: Chris Herbert, Founder of Fit for Life Youth In this episode, James Russell and Alex Sellers are joined by Chris Herbert, founder of Fit for Life Youth, an award‑winning community organisation working with children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Ladbroke Grove, London. Chris shares his personal journey from growing up on a local estate to creating a charity that supports confidence, resilience, life skills and healthier lifestyles through sport, mentoring and community connection. In this conversation, we explore: How early experiences with youth workers shaped Chris’ sense of purpose and legacyWhy sport – and boxing in particular – can be a powerful vehicle for confidence, discipline and emotional regulationThe modern pressures young people face today, including social media, online comparison, and public “slip‑ups” that never disappearChallenging the “snowflake” narrative by naming the very real pressures facing today’s youthHow Fit for Life Youth creates belonging, structure and positive role models at a local, human levelStories of young people who have grown from participants into coaches, leaders and role models themselvesThe realities of running a grassroots charity: funding pressures, uncertainty, and navigating the Voluntary sectorTurning setbacks into opportunities, including building a permanent gym space after losing community facilitiesWhy community still matters – for young people and for adults – and how real connection shapes wellbeingAdvice Chris would give his younger self about self‑belief, starting sooner, and keeping calm through uncertaintyKey themes: Belonging before performanceCommunity as a foundation for resilienceSport as a metaphor for life and leadership under pressureFaith, persistence and “keeping calm and carrying on”The quiet impact of consistency and careQuote from the episode: “The feeling you get from seeing people develop and grow and become happy — that’s why we do this. It’s a feeling you can’t really put into words.” Find out more: Fit for Life Youth: Website FFLY HQChris Herbert on LinkedIn: Christopher HerbertFollow Fit For Life Youth CIO (@fitforlifeyouth) • Instagram photos and videos for updates, stories and community workIf this episode resonated with you, consider how community shows up in your own life and where you might choose to contribute, reconnect, or support others. www.wearepowerful.org

  6. Mar 28

    Design to Thrive: Rethinking Motivation and Leadership with James Sale

    What if leadership wasn’t about getting more out of people but about designing the conditions where people naturally thrive? In this episode, James Russell, Alex Sellers, and James Sale explore what truly motivates human behaviour and why understanding motivation is one of the most powerful levers for personal change and organisational effectiveness. James Sale shares the story behind Motivational Maps, reflecting on his own mid‑life career transition and how decades of reading, curiosity, and experimentation shaped a tool now used by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Along the way, the conversation ranges beautifully, from leadership and organisational culture to listening, identity, and what it really means to “become” rather than arrive. Key themes explored in the episode include: Why motivation is not fixed Motivation shifts as our lives, contexts, and circumstances change. Understanding this can unlock energy, clarity, and compassion for ourselves and others.From control to design in leadership A powerful reframe: great leaders stop asking “How do I get more out of people?” and start asking “How do I design roles, rewards, and conversations so people’s natural drivers are engaged?”Mid‑life transitions and reinvention James reflects on leaving a secure career in education in his forties and why trying things out, rather than over‑planning, is often the only way to discover what truly motivates us.The danger of misaligned organisations When mission statements, leadership motivators, and employee drivers don’t align, organisations unintentionally create friction, disengagement, and resistance to change.Listening as a leadership discipline Listening isn’t just a communication skill. It may be the closest thing we have to love in organisational life, and a foundation for trust, influence, and change.Becoming, not predicting Why trying to define your future self too precisely can limit growth and why life, like an acorn becoming an oak, unfolds in ways we can’t fully foresee.The episode closes with reflections on perseverance over strength, small steps over big gestures, and the importance of staying curious, present, and human especially in complex leadership roles and times of change. Motivational Maps

  7. Mar 14

    Dream Big: Resilience, Fear and Learning to Let Go with Louise Birritteri

    In this episode of We.Are.Powerful, we’re joined by Louise Birritteri, founder and CEO of Pikl, for an open and deeply grounded conversation about what it really takes to build and scale a business. Louise shares her journey from a career in large insurance organisations to founding an Insurtech from a dining‑room table and growing it into a company of more than 60 people across Norwich, London and New York. Along the way, Louise speaks candidly about fear, uncertainty, resilience and the often‑unspoken loneliness of leadership. We explore the emotional reality of being a founder, learning to live with ambiguity and why resilience becomes something you build through experience rather than something you’re born with. Louise also reflects on the importance of understanding what you can and can’t control, and how letting anxiety drive decisions can be paralysing. This conversation goes beyond growth stories and success narratives. It’s about vulnerability, relationships, culture, and knowing when to persist and when to pivot as your organisation evolves. Key themes include: The transition from corporate life to founding a businessBuilding resilience through uncertainty and repeated challengeSeparating fear from decision‑makingThe changing role of leadership as organisations scaleCulture, trust and vulnerability at executive levelWhy “dream big” still matters, especially when things feel hardWhether you’re a founder, a leader, or navigating change in your own work or life, this episode offers reassurance, perspective and practical wisdom from someone who has lived it. www.pikl.com www.wearepowerful.org

    Dream Big: Resilience, Fear and Learning to Let Go with Louise Birritteri

  8. Feb 20

    From Shrinking to Thriving – Neelu Agarwal on Why Rejection Is Redirection

    What happens when the environment around you makes you shrink — and how do you find the courage to thrive again? In this deeply honest and uplifting episode of We.Are.Powerful, James Russell is joined by Neelu Agarwal, Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo; happiness coach, and speaker on belonging and psychological safety. Neelu shares her personal journey from arriving in the UK feeling apologetic, uncertain, and unseen, to becoming a senior leader shaping inclusive cultures. She reflects on how subtle behaviours at work can erode confidence, why rejection can feel so personal, and how small, consistent steps can radically change the trajectory of your career and life. Together, James and Neelu explore why rejection is not failure, but redirection, how confidence is built through action rather than perfection, and why leaders have a profound responsibility for how people feel when they leave work each day. This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone we work with is someone’s precious child — carrying dreams, doubts, and dignity into every room. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 1'46"📍 What it feels like to “shrink” in professional environments — and how to reverse it5’27”📍 Practicing inclusion by acknowledging that we are all someone’s precious child9’32”📍 Not letting some of the put downs and negative words define you19’22”📍 Dealing with rejection24’13”📍 The perils of comparing ourselves to others28’16”📍 How to approach situations where you feel underestimated 32’55”📍 What we can do to support others and creating a safe environment for others38’57” 📍 Advice Neelu would give to her younger self!About the guest Neelu Agarwal is an Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo and a certified happiness coach and a speaker on belonging, psychological safety, career development, and leadership. Her work focuses on creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and able to bring their full potential to work. You can find Neelu on LinkedIn at Neelu Agarwal. If this episode resonated with you: Share it with someone who might need encouragement right nowReflect on one small step you can take this week to move from shrinking to thrivingVisit wearepowerful.org for more episodes and resources

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About

Inspiring stories from people who have dared to affect change. Through candid conversations with change-makers, we are celebrating real experiences and providing practical insights that spark action, inspire change and build cultures where individuals and teams thrive. We are powerful when we choose to act. Visit the We.Are.Powerful website for more support and resources.

Information

  • Creator
    James Russell & Alex Sellers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © We.Are.Powerful.org
  • Show Website
    We.Are.Powerful.