Sex on Top

Lily Rumsey and Alice Ludgate
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  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Biweekly

Senior leadership can be a lonely, hard space to occupy as a woman. Hear the real, messy, unfiltered stories of what it takes to be a woman at the top! Join Alice & Lily in this collective space where we can listen, laugh and cry together. To celebrate that there is a place for forward-thinking female led leadership in a modern-day society. They want you to feel seen, your voice, actions & impact matters. Join them on this journey of leadership discovery where we share the real & raw lessons learnt from other female leaders. The result?! Bringing women to the top personally & professionally

  1. May 20

    Crafting Your Own Narrative, Lily and Alice Reflect

    In this episode of Sex on Top, it’s just us — reflecting on the lessons from Season One and the themes that stayed with us after our conversation with Maureen Manning. Inspired by Maureen’s powerful reminder that “this was always the path,” we explore what it means to trust your journey, make intentional choices, and recognise that leadership is rarely linear. From preparing for weddings and busy summers to creating a sense of home and sanctuary, this is a conversation about slowing down and prioritising what matters most. We also dive into the difference between coaching and mentoring, the value of building your own personal board of directors, and why surrounding yourself with people who challenge and champion you can make all the difference. At the heart of this episode is the idea that leadership is a journey, not a destination. It requires reflection, self-awareness, and the courage to make decisions that align with your values — even when they look different from what others expect. Honest, thoughtful, and grounding, this episode is an invitation to reconnect with your north star and trust that every step is part of the story Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠ and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alice Ludgate⁠⁠ Links from the episode: ⁠⁠Revealing: The Surprising Power of Oversharing Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 01:32 Reflecting on Season One and Community Building 03:22 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Self-Care 04:32 Personal Updates: Weddings and Life Changes 07:37 The Value of Home and Creating a Sanctuary 09:28 Transitioning to a Busy Summer 09:44 Crafting Personal Narratives 13:10 Crafting a Career with Intention 14:26 The Importance of Prioritisation 16:16 Communicating Priorities Effectively 17:53 The Role of Mentorship and Coaching 20:56 Understanding the Differences: Mentoring vs Coaching 24:17 Creating a Supportive Community 29:27 Building Your Personal Board of Directors 30:02 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

    36 min

  2. May 5

    From Centre Stage to Storytelling: This Was Always the Path, SoT welcomes Maureen Manning

    In this episode of Sex on Top, we’re joined by Maureen Manning, Founder and Principal Strategist of The Global Nexus Collective whose journey from aspiring performer to global education strategist is a powerful story of purpose, identity, and impact. What began as a love for storytelling on stage took an unexpected turn during a formative study abroad experience at sixteen reshaping not just Maureen’s path, but her understanding of how stories can influence people, systems, and the world around us. We explore the role of storytelling in leadership, and how building authentic narratives can elevate both individuals and organisations particularly in complex and shifting global contexts. From navigating the realities of the “sandwich generation” to making intentional, sometimes difficult life choices, Maureen shares what it means to lead with clarity, conviction, and care. We also dive into mentorship, community, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and champion you alongside the courage it takes to show up fully as yourself. Thoughtful, honest, and deeply reflective, this episode is a reminder that the path isn’t always linear but when you lead with purpose and authenticity, every chapter has meaning, Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Maureen LinkedIn Dr Maureen Manning ⁠ The Global Nexus Collective Website ⁠The Global Nexus Collective Leadership networks mentioned by Maureen in this episode -World Council on Global and Intercultural Competence Global Leadership League Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 02:11 Meet Maureen - A Journey Through Leadership 03:43 The Power of Storytelling in Education 09:20 Creating a Career From a Passion 09:46 Making Choices in Career and Family 17:17 Normalizing Personal Choices 19:32 The Sandwich Generation Experience 23:18 Authenticity in Storytelling 25:01 Creating Supportive Communities 27:41 The Role of Mentorship 31:39 Taking the Leap: Embracing Uncertainty 33:35 The Value of Credentials and Breaking Free 37:59 Understanding Your Value in the Sector 39:17 The Power of Storytelling and Performance 43:02 Navigating Grief and Personal Growth 43:02 Mentorship and Lifting Others Up

    47 min

  3. Apr 22

    When Life Gets Loud and Leadership Heavy, Lily and Alice Reflect

    In this episode of Sex on Top, it’s just us reflecting on leadership, identity, and the realities that sit behind the roles we hold. We open up about grief, support systems, and the moments that bring everything into perspective alongside the ongoing juggle of work, family, and the pressure to “hold it all together.” From the idea of “sixteen summers” to the emotional weight of being present, this is a conversation about what really matters and how easily it can get lost. We also explore the limiting beliefs that shape our decisions, from financial security and being the provider, to the fear of failure and what it means to attach your reputation to something new. What happens when you don’t feel like the expert in the room? And is expertise always what leadership actually requires? This episode dives into the tension between confidence and doubt, the value of transferable skills, and why no one person holds all the answers - even at the top. Honest, reflective, and deeply human, this is a conversation about self-compassion, challenging your own narrative, and learning to lead without having it all figured out 🎙️ Check out this article on reframing limiting beliefs on the Open University website Don’t forget to follow Sex on Top so you never miss an episode. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 02:42 Personal Reflections on Grief and Support 07:56 Balancing Work and Family Life 11:53 Limiting Beliefs and Personal Growth 18:27 Fear of Failure and Importance of Reputation 21:33 Is Expertise a Proxy? 24:24 The Role of Expertise in Career Development 27:03 Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs 31:39 Everybody Brought a Skill

    34 min

  4. Apr 9

    Connection is Currency, SoT welcomes Gayathri Balasubramaniam

    In this episode of Sex on Top, we’re joined by Gayathri Bala, founder of a community-led Pilates studio in Kingston upon Thames whose journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes the boldest move is stepping off the traditional path. Leaving behind a career in pharmacy and public health, Gayathri took a leap into entrepreneurship, building a business rooted in purpose, connection, and wellbeing. But behind the scenes, that leap has meant navigating uncertainty, challenging limiting beliefs, and learning in real time what it really takes to grow something from the ground up. We explore what it means to build a values-led business, the reality of multiple career pivots, and how identity, ambition, and self-belief shape the way we lead. From questioning whether you need to be an expert, to facing the fear of failure, this is an honest conversation about figuring it out as you go. At the heart of it all is one core idea: connection is currency. Whether it’s building a community, asking for help, or creating something that genuinely matters, Gayathri’s story is a refreshing take on success that goes far beyond titles or income. Raw, real, and deeply relatable, this episode is for anyone thinking about taking the leap or already in the messy middle of it 🎙️ Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Gayathri on Insta ThePilatesClubLondon Website thepilatesclublondon.co.uk Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Meet Gayathri - A Journey Through Leadership 04:13 Building Community Through Pilates 08:27 The Importance of Authenticity in Business 12:19 Navigating Fear and Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship 12:24 Navigating Identity and Race 17:34 Navigating Fear and Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship 23:58 Identifying Your Limited Beliefs 26:05 Navigating Competition and Self-Promotion 31:08 Personal Growth Through Business Challenges 34:37 Finding Joy and Legacy in Work 39:05 But Do You Need To Be An Expert? 41:02 The Fear of Failure 42:23 The Power of Community Support 48:24 The Power of Asking for Help 49:14 Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

    54 min

  5. Mar 26

    What it Actually Means to be a Strategic Female Leader with Purpose, Lily and Alice Reflect

    In this episode of Sex on Top, we take a step back to reflect on the strategic leadership themes sparked by our recent conversation with Jackie Carter, Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester. What does it really mean to lead strategically in today’s world? We explore the difference between transformational change and incremental shifts, the importance of building a clear narrative for your strategy, and why thinking beyond your immediate context is critical to effective leadership. We also dive into the role of trust, how to create strategies that genuinely connect with people, and the challenge of balancing ambition with sustainability both for organisations and ourselves. Thoughtful, honest, and practical, this episode is a reflection on what it takes to lead with clarity, intention, and impact in complex environments. Don’t forget to follow Sex on Top so you never miss an episode. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 01:29 Reflections on Season One and Community Engagement 03:36 The Featured Women Campaign 05:37 Audience Insights: Engaging Men in the Conversation 07:10 Balancing Work and Personal Life 10:11 Ambition: The Cost of Success 14:45 Understanding Strategic Leadership 20:59 Strategic Thinking Beyond the Echo Chamber 23:46 The Role of Trust in Leadership 26:10 Transformational Change vs. Incremental Adjustments 28:06 Building a Narrative for Strategy 32:27 The Importance of Listening to Your Body 36:04 The Weight of Representation in Leadership 38:46 Creating Safe Spaces in the Workplace 42:40 How to Make People Feel They Matter

    46 min

  6. Mar 11

    From Role Model to Real Model . The best is yet to come. SoT welcomes Jackie Carter

    Deaf, dizzy, disabled and proudly a proper Northerner -Jackie Carter has spent a lifetime doing things her own way and opening doors for others along the way. From being the first in her working-class family to attend university to becoming a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Manchester, Jackie’s 40-year career has been defined by challenging the status quo and using data to create real change. In this episode, Jackie shares her journey through leadership, adversity and reinvention — from navigating hearing impairment and breast cancer, to advocating for disability inclusion and building cultures where everyone belongs. We talk about the intersection of data and humanity, the importance of values-driven leadership, navigating difficult conversations, and finding purpose in new chapters of life. Honest, reflective and deeply human, Jackie’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about fitting the mould — it’s about reshaping it. Don’t forget to follow Sex on Top so you never miss an episode. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jackie Carter on Insta @sunflowerjackie LinkedIn Jackie Carter Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Meet Jackie: A Journey through Leadership 11:20 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Voice 20:10 The Intersection of Data and Humanity 24:17 Challenging the Status Quo 25:58 The Importance of Values in Leadership 30:04 Navigating Difficult Conversations 33:37 Embracing Change and New Beginnings 39:42 Finding Purpose in Retirement

    46 min

  7. Feb 26

    The Month of Love, Boundaries and the Women Holding Us Up, Lily and Alice Reflect

    In this episode, Lily and Alice explore overwhelm, boundaries, and the changing nature of friendships in adulthood. From recognising when you’ve reached your limit to learning that boundaries don’t look the same for everyone, they unpack the realities of managing expectations at work and in life. The conversation moves into evolving relationships, the honesty required for meaningful connection, and the grief that can come when friendships change or fall away — alongside the joy of intentionally celebrating the ones that remain. A warm, honest discussion about protecting your energy, embracing “good enough,” and navigating relationships with authenticity. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alice Ludgate⁠ Sign up to our IWD Event on 5th March The View From The Top Chapters 00:00 Feeling the Love in February 03:14 Overcoming Overwhelm 04:52 Identifying the Circuit Breaker 09:08 When Boundaries Don't Suit Everybody 13:09 Setting Boundaries That Work For You 15:16 Embracing Good Enough 16:27 Workload and Expectations 17:31 Boundaries in Work vs. Friendships 19:10 Evolving Friendships and Intentional Relationships 23:05 The Loneliness of Adulthood 25:04 Friendships Across Generations 26:11 Authenticity in Relationships 26:48 The Importance of Honesty 28:42 When Friendships Change 30:43 Grieving Friendship Loss 32:06 Practicing Boundaries 32:53 Celebrating Friendships

    34 min

  8. Feb 11

    Built From Where I Am From , SoT welcomes Shahnaz Ahmed

    What happens when the world tells you who to be — but you choose to listen to yourself instead? In this episode of Sex on Top, Alice and Lily sits down with designer, founder and changemaker Shahnaz Ahmed, the creative mind behind the iconic green food hygiene rating signs displayed in cafés and restaurants across the UK. You’ve seen her work. But her journey to the top has been anything but straightforward. As a woman of colour from a South Asian background navigating white, male-dominated creative industries, Shahnaz has had to fight to be seen, heard, and paid what she deserves. From being underpaid in agency life to working inside the global tech machine at META, she shares what it really takes to build trust, lead with vulnerability, and refuse to shrink yourself to fit the room. We talk about career pivots, choosing difference, and the power of building a “first team” philosophy. Shahnaz opens up about motherhood, founding the global craft movement Knit Aid and the deeply personal impact of debilitating grief. Through it all, she’s arrived at a powerful truth: acceptance isn’t giving up - it’s recognising that you are your own best solution. This is a conversation about identity, creativity, resilience, and creating workplaces that are safe, human, and expansive enough for all of us. Don’t forget to follow Sex on Top so you never miss an episode. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesdayand Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠ Follow Shahnaz Ahmed on Insta ⁠@shahnaztahmed⁠ LinkedIn ⁠Shahnaz Ahmed⁠   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Meet Shahnaz - A journey through leadership 02:26 The Elevator Pitch 06:32 Navigating Career Challenges as a Woman of Colour 08:29 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership 09:45 Building a First Team Philosophy 13:07 The Impact of Education and Support on Career 14:48 Creativity and Self-Expression in the Digital Age 17:33 The Power of Connections in Career Advancement 25:16 Building Trust and Overcoming Obstacles 27:15 Navigating Career Pivots andAcceptance 29:16 Reflections on Working at Meta 32:07 Life Beyond Work: Motherhood and Creativity 35:35 The Impact of Grief on Personal and Professional Life 40:56 Creating Safe Spaces in the Workplace 44:26 Advice for Women in Leadership 46:55 Moments of Triumph and Public Speaking

    50 min
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About

Senior leadership can be a lonely, hard space to occupy as a woman. Hear the real, messy, unfiltered stories of what it takes to be a woman at the top! Join Alice & Lily in this collective space where we can listen, laugh and cry together. To celebrate that there is a place for forward-thinking female led leadership in a modern-day society. They want you to feel seen, your voice, actions & impact matters. Join them on this journey of leadership discovery where we share the real & raw lessons learnt from other female leaders. The result?! Bringing women to the top personally & professionally

Information

  • Creator
    Lily Rumsey and Alice Ludgate
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Lily Rumsey and Alice Ludgate
  • Show Website
    Sex on Top

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