Clowning Around Again

Em Stroud
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  • Comedy
  • Updated Weekly

Clowning Around Again is the podcast for people who are done with heavy, "hustle-hard" personal development and ready for something lighter, deeper, and infinitely more human. Hosted by Em Stroud—comic, coach, and playful human—this show brings together laughter-makers and deep thinkers to explore how play and kind thinking help us navigate the messy reality of being alive. Why listen? Real Joy: The authentic kind, not the forced kind. Permission to Play: To experiment and not have it all figured out. Fresh Perspectives: Ideas that gently shift how you show up at work and home. Connection: A reminder that you aren't doing this "human thing" alone. If you want practical wisdom wrapped in a warm, hilarious conversation… welcome in.

  1. 2d ago

    013: Lucy Jeffrey on Conflict, Curiosity and Better Leadership

    What if better leadership starts not with having all the answers, but with asking better questions? In this episode of Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud is joined by Lucy Jeffrey for a lively conversation about leadership, learning and what it takes to keep growing when the world of work refuses to stand still. They explore curiosity, emotional intelligence, constructive conflict, psychological safety and critical thinking, alongside the challenge of helping successful leaders rethink habits that may have served them for years. With plenty of warmth, humour and honest reflection, Lucy shares why becoming more curious has changed the way she works with people and why continuing to learn might be one of the most important leadership skills of all. About Lucy Jeffrey: Curious by nature and optimistic by choice, Lucy Jeffrey is passionate about capability, leadership, learning, culture and helping others realise their potential. Her career has spanned transformation, business leadership, talent development, and culture, always with a focus on making a positive impact. She is a firm believer that small actions, genuine relationships, and continuous learning can create extraordinary results. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyjeffrey/ Follow Em Stroud: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  2. Aug 11

    012: Nicole Bearne on Why Most Business Problems Are Really Communication Problems

    Twenty five years in Formula One teaches you a fair bit about what happens when a message lands and what happens when it really does not. This week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud is joined by Nicole Bearne, former Head of Internal Communication at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, whose working life started at the British Embassy in Moscow as the Cold War was thawing. They get into why communication sits at the very heart of being human, the piece of choral music Nicole chooses to describe it and the rather lovely reason it fits, and the pattern she keeps spotting in organisations that are convinced their problems are about process. Expect Billy Connolly, roller coasters, a fence that refuses to paint itself, and the kind of thinking about leadership and internal communication that you will find yourself repeating to someone else by Thursday. About Nicole Bearne: Over a career spanning 25 years in the highly competitive world of Formula One motor racing, Nicole helped her team win nine World Championships – eight back-to-back. Her experience encompasses executive and technical operations, Internal Communication, CSR programmes and Employee Experience. She was Head of Internal Communication at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team for over a decade and is also a Non-Executive Board Director of Motorsport UK - the governing body of four-wheel motor racing in the UK. LinkedIn: Nicole Bearne Website: https://comms-exchange.com/ Follow Em: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  3. Aug 4

    011: Catherine Morgan on Money, Love and Giving Yourself Permission

    Ever wondered why talking about money makes your whole body react? Em Stroud sits down with global speaker, author and money psychology expert Catherine Morgan for a conversation that starts with a simple question and ends up somewhere far deeper. Expect big laughs, a protector part named Elvis, a grandmother worth writing books about, and a genuinely fresh way of thinking about financial wellbeing, self worth and the stories we inherit about money. Another episode of Clowning Around Again that proves you can giggle your way into a proper revelation. About Catherine Morgan: Catherine Morgan is a global speaker, author, and visionary founder of The Money Panel®, creator of the groundbreaking Money Narratives Clearing® Framework. A former financial adviser with 17+ years of experience, Catherine now focuses on financial wellbeing and money psychology, training coaches and professionals through her award-winning Financial Coach Certification programme. Her unique trauma-informed approach has been recognised forcreating "tidal waves of change" in the industry. Her international #1 bestselling book, "It's Not About the Money," presents a psychological approach to money. Recognised as one of the top 32 female entrepreneurs by Business Leader, Catherine is on a mission to empower 1 million people towards greater financial equality. Her podcast is in the top 0.5% globally. Instagram: @catherinemorganmoney LinkedIn: Catherine Morgan Follow Em Stroud: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  4. Jul 28

    010: Joe Flores on Turning Curiosity Into a Second Life of Adventure

    Ever wondered what happens when a double-chartered civil engineer swaps blueprints for drone flights and roller skates? This week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud sits down with the brilliantly curious Joe Flores, a Major Projects Director by day and a fearless explorer of drones, skating and clay shooting by, well, every other moment. From flying through the gaps of a viaduct to a very memorable dip in a New Zealand pool, Joe shares why staying curious at any age might just be the secret to feeling a bit better in an overwhelming world. Expect laughter, a few surprising confessions and a gentle nudge to go and play a little more yourself. About Joe Flores: Joe Flores is a dual-Chartered Engineer and Major Projects Director at TYPSA UK, with 31 years' experience on major infrastructure programmes including HS2, Transport for London and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. He made a deliberate vow to keep learning new things and has since gained his CAA drone licence, built TikTok channels, taken up clay shooting and continued a lifelong love of skating and table tennis. He believes the most useful thing a senior professional can do is stay genuinely curious and pass on knowledge and experience and hence is mentor and Judge for WICE and is enjoying the variety of being a Liveryman with the Worshipful Company of Paviors. Follow Joe: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joaquinaflores TikTok (drones): @ldrone360UK TikTok (skating): @skate360uk Em's Social Links YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  5. Jul 21

    009: Dr Mansi Desai on the tiny daily choices that actually change things

    Heat waves, mango orchards and a dairy farm floating on a river in Rotterdam. This week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud sits down with Dr Mansi Desai, an environmental and sustainability leader who has spent more than twenty years helping governments, businesses and communities balance growth with responsibility. Mansi builds her own ideal country out of the best bits of several others, explains why sustainability is a direction rather than a destination, and shares the one piece of advice from her grandparents that still shapes how she works today. There is also a very honest conversation about AI, energy and what happens to something when you throw it away. Warm, hopeful and full of practical thinking about climate change, carbon, resilience and the small everyday decisions that add up to something much bigger. About Dr. Mansi Densai: Dr Mansi Desai is an environmental and sustainability leader, international speaker and a driven advocate for creating a better future through practical action. Throughout her career, she has worked with governments, local authorities and businesses around the world, helping them navigate the challenge of balancing growth, resilience and sustainability. Known for her energy, curiosity and ability to connect people and ideas, Mansi believes that real change happens when sustainability becomes part of everyday decision-making. When she's not talking about climate, carbon or resilience, you'll usually find her planning her next adventure, exploring new cultures and asking lots of questions. Follow Dr. Mansi: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drmdesai Follow Em: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  6. Jun 16

    008: Bandwidth, Creativity and Being Kinder to Yourself with Em Stroud

    div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> This week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud gets honest about the gap between the bandwidth we think we have and the bandwidth we actually have. Short, warm and surprisingly relatable — this one might make you stop and take stock. EM'S SOCIAL LINKS YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  7. Jun 9

    007: Laura Fleming Schulte on Why the Words You Use in Business Are Doing More Work Than You Think

    There are words we use in business every single day that are doing far more damage than we realise. This week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud sits down with Laura Fleming Schulte, B2B pipeline strategist and founder, who has spent over 20 years navigating life and business in a language that isn't her own. Together they explore what it really means to choose your words in business, why so much of the language used in sales and marketing is actively pushing people away, and how the gap between what you say and what your audience hears can make or break a deal. From accidental slang in a Munich bakery to the warfare metaphors hiding in plain sight across every sales pipeline, this conversation is sharp, funny and genuinely eye-opening for anyone building a business on connection, communication and trust. About Laura Fleming Schulte: Laura Fleming Schulte is a B2B pipeline strategist who spent 15+ years building partner-led growth across EMEA — from HP and AWS ecosystems to a GTM platform serving 2,000+ brands and a DAX IPO. She founded Project Renaissance to solve the problem she kept seeing at every stage: business leaders with real traction and warm networks, but no system to convert either into predictable pipeline. Through the Pipeline Compounder, she builds the infrastructure that keeps warm leads moving — the newsletter, the LinkedIn system, the visibility, the automations — so founders and investors are chosen before the conversation begins, and she publishes Primed, a bi-weekly email newsletter for business builders ready to convert the invisible leads sitting in their dark pipeline. Follow Laura: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-fleming-schulte Sign up for Laura's Newsletter: https://primed.beehiiv.com/ Follow Em: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

  8. Jun 2

    006: Maleena Pone on the Quiet Acts of Bravery That Change Everything

    Bravery rarely announces itself, and this week on Clowning Around Again, Em Stroud sits down with the truly brilliant Maleena Pone to explore exactly that. From what it means to stay in a relationship with your own truth, to the quiet, defiant choices that define a brave life, this conversation goes deep in the most joyful and unexpected ways. Maleena brings warmth, wisdom and a wonderful clarity to everything she touches, and her perspective as a British Indian filmmaker, storyteller and trauma-informed creative coach makes for an episode that is as thought-provoking as it is genuinely moving. Expect honest reflections on identity, creative courage, gut feeling and why being consistently yourself might just be the bravest thing any of us can do. Do not miss this one. About Maleena Pone: Maleena Pone is a British Indian producer, director, storyteller and trauma-informed creative coach exploring identity, healing, courage and human connection through documentary and conversation. She is the founder of StoryTell-Her Studios, a platform dedicated to emotionally intelligent storytelling and culturally rooted narratives. Her work spans branded content, impact storytelling and self-authored documentary filmmaking, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and creating meaningful dialogue. Follow Maleena: Website: www.maleenapone.com Instagram: @maleenapone LinkedIn: Maleena Pone Substack: StoryTell-Her Time with Maleena Follow Em: YouTube: @TheComicCoach for complete video interviews TikTok: @emthecomic for clips and latest updates Website: emstroud.com

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About

Clowning Around Again is the podcast for people who are done with heavy, "hustle-hard" personal development and ready for something lighter, deeper, and infinitely more human. Hosted by Em Stroud—comic, coach, and playful human—this show brings together laughter-makers and deep thinkers to explore how play and kind thinking help us navigate the messy reality of being alive. Why listen? Real Joy: The authentic kind, not the forced kind. Permission to Play: To experiment and not have it all figured out. Fresh Perspectives: Ideas that gently shift how you show up at work and home. Connection: A reminder that you aren't doing this "human thing" alone. If you want practical wisdom wrapped in a warm, hilarious conversation… welcome in.

Information

  • Creator
    Em Stroud
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Clowning Around Again