The Business Elevation Show Where Good Matters

Chris Cooper
  • 4.8 (12)
  • Business
  • Biweekly

One of the world's longest-running business podcasts, The Business Elevation Show inspires you to grow your wisdom and elevate humanity through business — as doing good matters.

  1. 4d ago

    Barbara Nixon: Step Back Without Stepping Out

    About this episode: What happens when the business you've worked so hard to build starts taking over your life? And what if the secret to greater success, freedom and fulfilment is learning to step back rather than constantly doing more?  In this episode of The Business Elevation Show, Chris Cooper is joined by Barbara Nixon, Executive Success and Leadership Coach, speaker, author and founder of Smash Your Own Ceiling®.  With over 30 years of experience developing leaders, Barbara has helped thousands of executives, entrepreneurs and business owners overcome the barriers preventing them and their organisations from thriving.  Barbara loves to explore why successful business owners often become trapped in the very companies they've created. From the fear of letting go and the dangers of micromanagement to overcoming limiting beliefs and empowering others, she shares how leaders can reclaim their freedom without losing their influence.  Chris and Barbara also explore the powerful ripple effect of personal transformation. When leaders learn to trust, delegate and create space for others to flourish, the benefits extend far beyond business performance, positively influencing employees, relationships and family life.  Join us for an inspiring and practical conversation about redefining success, breaking free from the pressures of leadership and discovering how stepping back can help you, your business and everyone around you thrive.    More about Barbara Nixon: Barbara Nixon is an Executive Success and Leadership Coach, Leadership Consultant, speaker and founder of Smash Your Own Ceiling®️.  With 3 decades in the Personal Development and Leadership arena, 13 years in management positions for two of the big 4 retailers in the UK, and running her own business since 2010, Barbara has worked with thousands of leaders from CEO's and Managing Directors, Senior Leaders and Business Owners and is passionate about helping leaders elevate so this can then ripple down into their business. She is a 2x qualified Coach, has a BA (hons) in Psychology and Journalism, is an NLP Practitioner, a Fellow of the Professional Speaking Association, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and is currently studying for her MSc in Applied Positive Psychology.  Barbara has also been featured in Addicted2Success, Tut.com, Training Zone, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, and BBC Radio 2 The Jeremy Vine Show, and is the author of The Boss Hat, and the host of the Smash Your Own Ceiling podcast. Behind the scenes Barbara is married to Dave, co-owner of Pebble and Pine Coffee Roastery has 4 grown up children, a fab dog called Nellie and loves travel, stand-up comedy, growing veg, reading autobiographies and is never far from a cup of decaf tea.

  2. Oct 23

    Marc Chandler: The Age of Surplus – When More Is No Longer the Answer

    About this episode: For generations, economics has been built around the problem of scarcity: not enough re-sources, capital or growth. But what if one of the defining challenges of our age is actually the opposite — surplus? Marc Chandler is one of the world's most respected currency and global capital-market experts. After more than 30 years on Wall Street, advising businesses, hedge funds and asset managers and commenting regularly across the international financial media, Marc has developed a provocative new thesis about the economic system we live within. In his forthcoming book, General Theory of Surplus, Marc argues that abundance is everywhere — from excess capital and consumer goods to packaging, waste and environmental damage — while millions of people still struggle to meet their basic needs. The problem, he suggests, is increasingly not simply whether we can produce enough, but how what we produce, own and accumulate is distributed and used. In this episode of The Business Elevation Show, Chris and Marc explore how our pursuit of ever more growth and consumption shapes business, inequality, political power and the planet. They consider why capital itself may now be in surplus, what AI could mean for this dynamic, and what history can teach us about the consequences when enormous abundance sits alongside profound inequality. We also discover the person behind the economist — including Marc's journey from a childhood marked by adversity and a severe speech impediment, to becoming an internationally recognised commentator and teacher, and why he believes our later years should be about remaining engaged, relevant and sharing what we have learned. More about Marc Chandler: One of the most widely respected and quoted currency experts, Marc Chandler has been analysing and advising on the global capital markets for more than 30 years. As a keen observer of the interconnection of international politics and economics, Marc appears frequently in the financial press - CNBC, CNBC Asia FOX Business, Bloomberg TV and Radio, Barron's, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, and more – where he provides his colourful take on the global financial and economic news. Throughout his career on Wall Street, Chandler has advised private businesses, hedge funds and asset managers on navigating the for-eign exchange market. In 2018 he joined Bannockburn Capital Markets as Manag-ing Director and Chief Market Strategist in their New York City office. Keep up with Marc Chandler's ongoing analysis on his blog, http://www.marctomarket.com , or follow him on X @marcmakingsense.

  3. Oct 16

    Special Encore: Debbie Jenkins - Your Good Matters: Turning Knowledge into Legacy

    About this episode: Most experienced professionals don't struggle because they lack knowledge. They struggle because they're stuck using it in ways that keep them busy… but not free. In this Special Encore episode, Chris sits down with Debbie Jenkins, entrepreneur, author and founder of a successful publishing business, to explore how people can turn what they already know into something far more valuable — freedom, impact and legacy. Debbie works with consultants, coaches and business owners who feel caught between delivering for clients and building something that lasts. She helps them uncover the intellectual property already within their work and transform it into assets that create long-term value and influence more good in the world. We also explore Debbie's own journey — from being told there was no future in writing, to becoming an engineer, to building multiple businesses and creating a life in Spain that reflects the vision she had as a young girl. At the heart of this conversation is our theme that: Good matters. And when you learn how to use your knowledge in the right way, you can amplify that good far beyond your time. More about Debbie Jenkins: In 1996, Debbie Jenkins founded her first business, a marketing and website design agency, despite having no background in marketing, no experience designing websites, and no existing clients. Leaving behind a well-paid, prestig-ious role, she stepped into the unknown with a simple belief: it couldn't be that hard. More than 25 years later, she knows the truth—building a business is hard. But when driven by purpose beyond profit, and sup-ported by people you genuinely enjoy working with, the effort becomes worthwhile. Today, Debbie works with experienced business owners—particularly those run-ning consultancy, training, or coaching businesses—who are beginning to ques-tion how they will ever slow down, retire, or create an exit. These entrepreneurs often find themselves caught between delivering for clients and developing the products, processes, or intellectual property (IP) that could generate recurring revenue and long-term value. Her clients typically face three key challenges: legacy client expecta-tions that keep them tied to old ways of working, a reliance on selling time rather than scalable products, and a lack of time to focus on strategic growth. Debbie helps them recognise and unlock the often over-looked IP already embedded in their businesses—transforming it into valuable assets that create freedom, generate leads, and build a lasting legacy. A writer, author, painter, and self-confessed horse addict, Debbie lives in Spain at "The Disaster Farm" with her Italian partner and a lively collection of animals.

  4. Oct 9

    Kathy Caprino: Finding Brave – Navigating Change Without Losing Who You Are

    About this episode: What happens when the career, business or life that once worked for you suddenly no longer does? Kathy Caprino knows that experience personally. After an 18-year corporate career that took her to Vice President level, she found herself struggling within a toxic workplace while facing significant personal and professional challenges. Then, shortly after 9/11, and only a month after moving her family into a new home, she was laid off. Sitting in her therapist's office wondering what to do next, she was asked a deceptively simple question: "Who do you want to be?" Her answer ultimately changed the direction of her life. She retrained as a therapist before finding her calling helping professionals create more meaningful and fulfilling careers.  Today, Kathy is an internationally recognised career and leadership coach, former corporate VP, trained therapist, Senior Forbes Contributor, author and host of the Finding Brave podcast. For more than 20 years she has helped thousands of people understand who they are, recognise their value and expand their success, fulfilment and impact. Now Kathy is navigating another period of significant change herself, as AI and a rapidly shifting world of work challenge established approaches to coaching, careers and leadership. In this episode of The Business Elevation Show, Chris Cooper and Kathy Caprino explore how we navigate major transitions while staying true to ourselves. They discuss identity, courage and resilience, why difficult periods can become catalysts for reinvention, and what it really means to find your power. They also explore the changing relationship between AI and human coaching, what technology cannot replace, and how we can combine the capabilities of AI with distinctly human wisdom, empathy and judgement. Join us for an open, practical and deeply human conversation about finding brave, navigating uncertainty and becoming more fully the person you are capable of being.

  5. Oct 2

    Siân Sutherland: Radical Naivety – The Entrepreneurial Power to Change the World

    About This Episode: What if not knowing all the reasons something can't be done is actually an entrepreneurial superpower? Siân Sutherland describes herself as "the least likely eco-warrior you could meet." Over an extraordinary career, she has repeatedly stepped into industries she knew little about — from advertising to opening a restaurant that gained a Michelin star in its first year, building an award-winning design agency, and creating and ultimately selling the successful skincare brand Mama Mio. She calls her approach "radical naivety": the willingness to take the first step, ask different questions and pursue possibilities before knowing all the reasons they might not work. Today, Siân is applying that same entrepreneurial mindset to some of our biggest global challenges. As co-founder of A Plastic Planet, PlasticFree Babies and the EXO Institute, she is working to tackle the plastic and climate poly-crisis, accelerate innovation and rethink the systems that created these problems in the first place. In this episode of The Business Elevation Show, Chris and Siân explore her remarkable entrepreneurial journey, why recycling alone will never solve the plastic crisis, the potential impact of plastics on human health, and the exciting innovations and new materials that could help us build a better future. They also explore why Siân believes changing systems requires changing leaders, what business can achieve when positive impact is embedded into its purpose, and the practical lessons she has learned from more than 30 years of entrepreneurship. Listen for an inspiring and provocative conversation about radical naivety, courageous leadership, entrepreneurship and our capacity to use business as a powerful force for positive change.   More about Siân Sutherland: Siân Sutherland - Cofounder and Chief, A Plastic Planet + PlasticFree Babies Cofounder, EXO Institute; Advisory Board, Roots of Peace Siân is a passionate systems-change entrepreneur redefining sustainability through communication, innovation and action. De-termined to be part of building a very different future for all of humanity. Siân has led purposeful organisations for over 30 years, from award winning design agencies, to consumer brands and now runs multiple organisations tackling the plastic and climate poly-crisis, connecting the dots to catalyse change.

  6. Sep 25

    Special Encore: Iron Man, Not Terminator: Using AI to Amplify Human Potential with Bennett Borden

    About this Special Encore episode: Artificial Intelligence is transforming our world at an extraordinary pace, creating both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. So how do we ensure AI enhances human potential rather than diminishes it?  In this engaging Special Encore episode, Chris is joined by Bennett Borden, Founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners and a globally recognised expert on the legal, ethical, technological and business implications of artificial intelligence.  A former Partner and Chief Data Scientist at DLA Piper, Bennett believes AI is the most transformative technology since electricity. He shares his compelling "Iron Man, Not Terminator" philosophy, explaining how leaders can use AI to augment human capability, unlock innovation and create lasting value while managing risk responsibly.  Chris and Bennett explore the future of work, education, ethics, regulation and leadership in an AI-enabled world, and discuss what it will take to build a future where technology serves humanity and amplifies good.  This is an essential conversation for leaders, entrepreneurs, educators and anyone seeking to understand the opportunities and responsibilities that come with the AI revolution.  More about Bennett Borden: Bennett B. Borden is Founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners, an integrated law, technology, and strategy firm helping organizations deliver AI the right way. He is a globally recognized authority on the legal, technological, and business implications of artificial intelligence, advising leading enterprises and AI developers on how to deploy AI systems that create real value while managing risk.  Before founding Clarion, Bennett served as Partner and Chief Data Scientist at the global law firm DLA Piper, where he helped shape AI strategy for multinational organizations. Today, he works with companies and policymakers to translate complex AI developments into practical insights leaders can act on.

  7. Sep 18

    Make Your Brain Work – The Neuroscience of High Performance Without Burnout - with Amy Brann

    About This Episode: What if better performance isn't about pushing ourselves harder, but understanding how to work more effectively with the way our brains are designed? Amy Brann is a leading authority on applying neuroscience to business performance. Through her work with organisations including EY, Twinings and Haleon, she translates cutting-edge brain science into practical strategies that help people think, lead, collaborate and perform more effectively. When Amy first joined Chris Cooper on The Business Elevation Show, they explored the neuroscience behind productivity, distraction, willpower, behaviour change, connection and contribution. They even discussed why helping others can activate the brain's reward systems and why organisations should be designed around how human beings actually function.  Much has changed since then. AI is transforming work, distraction has intensified, burnout remains a significant challenge and our ability to adapt, connect and perform sustainably has arguably never been more important. So what does neuroscience tell us today about unlocking our potential? In this episode, Chris reconnects with Amy to explore what we now understand about the brain and how we can turn that knowledge into meaningful behaviour change. They discuss attention and productivity, habits, motivation, resilience, leadership and human connection — and why some approaches to improving performance work while others don't. They also explore how leaders can create environments that enable people's brains to work at their best, how neuroscience can help us navigate accelerating change and AI, and whether purpose, contribution and helping others can actually enhance our own ability to thrive. Join us for a fascinating and highly practical conversation about making your brain work better, elevating performance and achieving more — without burning yourself or those around you out. More about Amy Brann: Amy Brann is a leading authority on applying neuroscience to business performance, helping organisations move beyond theory to measurable impact. As a trusted advisor to global brands including EY, Twinings, Haleon, and government agencies, Amy translates cutting-edge brain science into practical strategies that transform the way people think, lead, and collaborate. Unlike many speakers who simply share research, Amy works on the frontline of behaviour change - embedding sustainable shifts in mindset and performance. She is the author of three acclaimed books - Make Your Brain Work, Neuroscience for Coaches, and Engaged - each offering science-backed approaches to people development. Through Synaptic Potential, the organisation she founded, Amy has partnered with the Wales Centre for Behaviour Change, collaborated with the Møller Institute at the University of Cambridge to deliver leadership programmes, and led the neuroscience component of MBAs, and Sports Directorship at MMU and the Diploma in Sports Leadership run by the UN.  Her insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Guardian, BBC, and The Observer, and she has been recognised as one of HR's Most Influential Thinkers - testament to her impact at the intersection of science and performance. What sets Amy apart is her ability to make complex science engaging, humorous, and immediately actionable. Audiences don't just listen - they experience light-bulb moments that shift their approach to work on the spot. Her keynotes go beyond inspiration, equipping leaders with tools to unlock innovation, agility, and productivity - without burnout. For organisations looking to future-proof their people, elevate leadership, and unlock untapped potential, Amy Brann delivers more than insight - she delivers transformation.

  8. Sep 11

    The Relationships That Shape Our Lives and Success with Dr Neil Wilkie

    About this episode: What if one of the greatest determinants of our happiness, success and wellbeing is something we spend surprisingly little time learning how to do well? Dr Neil Wilkie spent 25 years as a CEO, strategy consultant and business leader before reaching his 50s and realising that something significant was missing. He retrained as a psychotherapist and began working with successful but often unhappy business leaders. Again and again, he discovered that behind professional achievement lay challenges with the relationships that mattered most. That discovery led Neil to devote the next chapter of his life to understanding human relationships. He has since completed a doctorate in the Phenomenology of Relationships, developed his Relationship Paradigm and Duo Coaching Frameworks, and written extensively about relationships in our personal lives and organisations. His Relationship Paradigm focuses on six essential elements: communication, connection, commitment, fun, growth and trust.  In this episode of The Business Elevation Show, Chris Cooper and Neil explore what makes relationships thrive — and what causes them to deteriorate. They discuss how ambitious people can succeed professionally without neglecting those closest to them, why relationships are fundamental to healthy organisational cultures, and what leaders can do when relationships at work become strained. They also explore the importance of fun, growth and trust; why relationship education deserves a greater place in schools and society; and how increasing polarisation and technology are changing the way we connect with one another. Neil also shares his thinking about AI and artificial intimacy, including the fascinating questions raised in his latest book, Real: Love, Longing and the Lure of Artificial Intimacy. Join us for a thought-provoking and practical conversation about something that ultimately touches every part of our lives: the quality of our relationships. More about Dr Neil Wilkie: Dr Neil Wilkie is a relationship therapist, author, and Visiting Fellow at Middlesex University, where he completed his doctorate in the Phenomenology of Relationships. After 25 years as a CEO, Strategy Consultant and management buy-in specialist he made the unusual decision in his 50's to retrain in psychotherapy. He has spent the years since then developing the Relationship Paradigm and Duo Coaching Frameworks, an intensive model of couple's therapy. He also runs mentoring groups for Business leaders, focusing on relationships within business.  Neil is the author of more than thirty books, including the Routledge series Reinventing Relationship Therapy Through the Duo Coaching Framework, A Practitioner's Guide to the Duo Coaching Framework, and Demystifying Relationship Therapy. His latest, Real: Love, Longing and the Lure of Artificial Intimacy, explores what happens to human connection in an age of AI — and was, fittingly, co-written in conversation with an AI. He has published over 370 articles on relationships and is a passionate advocate for relationship education in schools Neil lives in Lymington with his wife Gwen and spends extended seasons in France aboard their sailing yacht Moon River. He believes the quality of our relationships is the truest measure of a life well lived.

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One of the world's longest-running business podcasts, The Business Elevation Show inspires you to grow your wisdom and elevate humanity through business — as doing good matters.

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