Who's Your Captain?

Mark Francis

Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond. Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity. Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship. Subscribe to join a community of leaders who believe the best lessons come from those who've done it at the highest level.

  1. 5h ago

    SE01E18 Powering the Electric Future I Steven Meersman

    In this episode of Who’s Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Steven Meersman, Founder Director of Zenobe Energy Limited, to explore one of the most important shifts happening in global energy today.Steven shares the story behind Zenobe Energy Limited, from its early days connecting batteries to the UK grid to becoming a major force in electrifying transport systems across multiple countries. What started as a bold idea between three co-founders has now grown into a business operating at the intersection of renewable energy, battery storage, and electric mobility.Mark Francis and Steven Meersman discuss how Zenobe Energy Limited is helping solve real-world infrastructure challenges, from stabilising energy grids to enabling electric bus fleets and reusing second-life batteries in powerful new ways. Steven also breaks down how the company works closely with transport operators, including Big Bus Tours, to make electrification practical, scalable, and financially sustainable.The conversation goes deeper into leadership, decision-making, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven business. Steven reflects on building high-performing teams, raising capital step by step, and the importance of combining engineering, finance, and operational expertise to drive meaningful change.Key themes include renewable energy innovation, battery storage systems, electric bus infrastructure, grid stability, and the future of electrification across transport and heavy industry. Steven also shares insights from expanding Zenobe Energy Limited into international markets including Australia, Europe, and North America.This episode offers a clear look at how long-term thinking, disciplined execution, and strong leadership can turn a complex energy challenge into a global opportunity.Host: Mark FrancisGuest: Steven Meersman, Founder Director Zenobe Energy Limited Connect with Steven Meersman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencgmeersman/  I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    51 min
  2. May 22

    SE01E17 How to Build a High Growth Team Culture That Wins I Brian Dyer

    What does it take to build a company culture where growth, innovation, and accountability happen every day?  In this episode of Who's Your Captain?, Mark Francis speaks with Brian Dyer, President at Sterling ATM, about leadership that works in the real world. From leading in the trenches with employees to building systems that drive momentum, Brian shares the exact mindset and methods that helped transform Sterling ATM into a dynamic, growth focused business.  Brian explains how daily team huddles create ownership, improve communication, and uncover new ideas across the company. He also breaks down his Four Beasts leadership framework - Lion, Owl, Cheetah, and Honey Badger - and how each mindset helps leaders take action, solve problems, and stay resilient under pressure.  The conversation also explores how Sterling ATM successfully expanded into new markets, developed innovative products, and created a workplace culture where every employee contributes to growth.  In this episode:  Brian Dyer leadership philosophy  How Sterling ATM drives growth through culture  The power of daily huddles in business  Building accountability and feedback systems  Innovation and product expansion strategies  Leadership lessons for CEOs and managers  How to create resilient high performing teams  If you are a business owner, CEO, entrepreneur, or team leader looking for practical leadership strategies, this episode delivers real insights you can apply immediately.  Featuring:  Brian Dyer - President at Sterling ATM  Hosted by Mark Francis  Connect with Brian Dyer on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandyer/  #BrianDyer #SterlingATM #MarkFrancis #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #TeamCulture #Entrepreneurship #CEO #Management #Innovation  I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.  – Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team  Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/  Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.com  Preview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K  Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706  Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain  #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.  If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    49 min
  3. May 15

    SE01E16 Lead with belief build winning teams I Simon Hawtrey-Coombs

    In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis is joined by Simon Hawtrey-Coombs, Head of Happiness, Co-Founder @ peer2peer Boards & President of Bournemouth Rugby Football Club, for a powerful conversation on leadership, belief, and building high-performing teams.Simon shares his journey as an entrepreneurial leader across industries including property, logistics, and sports. From transforming one of the lowest-performing depots into the number one in the UK, to helping shape a winning culture in rugby, this episode is packed with real-world leadership lessons that actually work.At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea: great leadership starts with clear expectations, strong belief, and a shared purpose. Simon explains how success leaves clues and how small habits, like showing up early or setting higher standards, can create extraordinary results over time.You’ll also hear insights on: • How to lead change and build a culture of ownership • Why handing over responsibility creates stronger teams • The role of belief in entrepreneurship and risk-taking • How to remove negative energy and build winning environments • Why systems and processes are essential for scaling • Lessons from elite teams like the All Blacks and top football clubs • How peer2peer Boards help business leaders grow through shared experienceSimon also shares a powerful perspective on life, success, and slowing down to focus on what truly matters. This episode is not just about business, it’s about leadership in every area of life. Connect with Simon Hawtrey-Coombs on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonhawtrey-coombs/ If you found value in this episode, like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders who are shaping the future.#MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PeerToPeer #RugbyLeadership #TeamBuilding #Mindset #StartupLife I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    46 min
  4. May 8

    SE01E15 Scaling in a volatile market I Jay Zapata

    In this episode of Who's Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Jay Zapata, CEO & Co-Founder of Satokie, for a deep dive into leadership, scaling a startup, and building in a fast-moving industry.Jay shares the journey of growing Satokie from a small startup into a rapidly expanding data center and infrastructure company. From Bitcoin mining and colocation services to AI and high-performance computing, this conversation explores how the company is evolving and where the future is headed.The discussion goes beyond business strategy and gets into what leadership really looks like inside a growing organization. Jay talks openly about learning through failure, building strong teams, and creating a culture where people take ownership and grow into leadership roles themselves.Mark Francis brings his leadership framework into the conversation, covering vision, mobilization, development, and enablement. Together, they unpack how founders can scale not just their business, but their people and systems.You’ll also hear insights on: • How Satokie expanded from Bitcoin infrastructure into broader data center services • Why powered land and energy access are becoming critical assets • The importance of systems, processes, and communication in scaling • Building leaders from within through structured development plans • Balancing growth, capital, and operational efficiency • What it takes to lead in a volatile and fast-changing environmentThis episode is packed with practical takeaways for founders, operators, and anyone interested in leadership, startups, and the future of data infrastructure. Connect with Jay Zapata on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-zapata-117286b8/ If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future.#MarkFrancis #WhosYourCaptain #JayZapata #Satokie #Leadership #StartupGrowth #Entrepreneurship #DataCenters #BitcoinMining #AIInfrastructure #BusinessPodcast I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    47 min
  5. May 1

    SE01E14 Floating Wind Energy and the Future of Offshore Power I Dominique Roddier

    In this episode of Who’s Your Captain, Mark Francis sits down with Dominique Roddier, CEO at Ocergy, to explore the future of offshore and floating wind energy and what it really takes to scale renewable power on a global level.Dominique shares his journey from engineering and offshore oil and gas roots to leading innovation in floating wind technology. He explains how energy from the ocean works, why floating wind farms are becoming a major breakthrough, and how industrialisation, cost reduction, and long term investment models are shaping the clean energy transition.The conversation goes deep into how large offshore projects are developed, from securing site control and permits to financing and building multi-gigawatt infrastructure. Dominique also breaks down the realities of capacity factors, grid contracts, and why offshore wind is becoming increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.Beyond technology and business, this episode highlights leadership, resilience, and purpose. Dominique speaks openly about teamwork, decision making, and what it really means to lead in a complex and fast moving industry that has a direct impact on the planet’s future.Mark and Dominique also explore the human side of leadership, passion driven careers, and how innovation in renewable energy is creating long term value not just for companies, but for society as a whole.If you are interested in renewable energy, offshore wind, engineering, sustainability, or leadership in complex industries, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the future of global energy is heading.Connect with Dominique Roddier on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-roddier-691499/ I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    48 min
  6. Apr 24

    SE01E14 Leadership Secrets for 2026 I Neil Mullarkey

    Neil Mullarkey joins Mark Francis for a high energy conversation on leadership, communication, confidence, and the skills needed to succeed in 2026. As Chief of Improvyourbiz Ltd, Neil shares practical lessons from decades of experience in improv, business coaching, and helping professionals become stronger presenters and better leaders. In this episode, Mark Francis and Neil Mullarkey discuss how great leaders communicate clearly, why storytelling is more powerful than slides, how to overcome fear of public speaking, and why curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership traits today. You will learn:• How to become a more confident speaker• Why improv helps leaders think faster• The secret to engaging presentations• How to build stronger workplace relationships• Why adaptability matters in business• Leadership lessons for 2026• How to connect with any audience This episode is packed with insights for business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to improve communication and leadership skills.Guest: Neil MullarkeyHost: Mark FrancisCompany: Improvyourbiz LtdRole: Chief Subscribe for more interviews on leadership, business growth, and success strategies. Connect with Neil Mullarkey  on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmullarkey/ I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    49 min
  7. Apr 17

    SE01E12 Leading Multiple stakeholders | Sonia Dunlop

    What does it take to lead a global movement with a team of just 15 to 20 people? Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, joins Mark Francis to unpack the art of influencing without authority across governments, multilateral institutions, industry giants, and philanthropic funders spanning every continent. From her early days as a press officer to five years in the European Parliament and senior roles in solar policy across Europe, Sonia brings rare depth to a conversation about leadership at the highest level of global diplomacy.The Global Solar Council's mission is to deploy 8 terawatts of solar PV roughly 25 billion solar panels  by the end of this decade. Solar is now the fastest and cheapest growing source of electricity in the history of civilization, with 80% of all new electricity generation capacity added to the global grid last year coming from solar. Sonia explains how a small, highly motivated team drives change at that scale: through shuttle diplomacy, radical delegation, strategic task forces in 190 political capitals, and media influence that ensures the solar industry speaks with one voice to the world. Key takeaways:Influencing stakeholders who don't have to listen to you requires building long-term relationships grounded in mutual interest, not authorityDelegate everything that doesn't have to be you being a bottleneck kills momentum in a small, high-impact teamDone is better than perfect: trust your people and resist the urge to micromanageGet media training especially if you're a woman; there is specific, valuable training for how women come across in interviews and public speakingThree theories of change: industry task forces, building national and regional association capacity, and strategic media presenceSolar's growth is now driven by pure economics, not climate politics — it is simply the cheapest electricity ever producedA clear 10-year business plan with outcome-based KPIs is non-negotiable, even for not-for-profitsThe biggest macro challenge is adapting strategy to a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape while staying politically neutral across all 190 countriesInspiring people around a shared mission is the core competency for any trade association leaderEnergy security and national security are now part of the solar story a powerful message in an increasingly tense world Connect with Sonia Dunlop:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sonia-dunlop-62868354Website: globalsolarcouncil.orgTo learn more about the Global Solar Council and the solar and battery storage revolution, visit globalsolarcouncil.org. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    48 min
  8. Apr 10

    SE01E11 WRITE YOUR BOOK | Brenda Dempsey

    Mark Francis sits down with his own publisher, Brenda Dempsey, founder of Book Brilliance Publishing, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to write a book that lasts. Brenda brings over 25 years in education, a coaching background, and hard-won life experience including raising four children alone while homeless in her final year of university to a publishing approach that is anything but surface level. She talks about the moment she stepped into her businesswoman identity, why owning your numbers matters as much as owning your story, and what separates books that leave a legacy from books that gather dust.For anyone who has ever thought about writing a book but doesn't know where to start, this episode is the conversation to hear. Brenda breaks down her holistic, values-led process from deep foundation work and purpose-setting before a single word is written, to the role of storytelling, structure, and editorial precision in producing something that genuinely sounds like you. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone with a story worth telling, Brenda makes a compelling case for why your voice matters and why the world needs to hear it.Key takeaways: Start with your why before you write a single word purpose and values are the foundation of every great bookKnow your numbers: passion alone doesn't build a business, financial literacy is non-negotiableWriting a book builds credibility, authority, and legacy that no LinkedIn profile or CV can replicateYour values aren't a head exercise  they come from the gut, and they run through every page of your bookShow don't tell applies in non-fiction too  take your reader on a journey, don't just dump what you knowA book is five or more years of re-purposable content hiding in plain sightYou don't need a degree or perfect credentials to write a book  you need lived experience and the lessons from itIt's never too late: Brenda launched Book Brilliance Publishing at 62The byproduct of writing a book is clarity, confidence, and a deeper connection to your own purpose"I can" are the two most powerful words on the planet and the best books are built on that belief Connect with Brenda Dempsey:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendadempseyWebsite: bookbrilliancepublishing.comReady to write your book? Visit bookbrilliancepublishing.com to find out how Book Brilliance Publishing can take you from idea to published author. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16K Listen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain #WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership  Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship. If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.

    53 min

About

Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond. Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable. Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity. Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship. Subscribe to join a community of leaders who believe the best lessons come from those who've done it at the highest level.