Great Women Podcast

Great Women Podcast

di Oli and Franny
ImprenditoriaSocietà e cultura
Stagione 1
Dawn Miller - Risk, Resilience and Leading on a Global Stage
Dawn Miller has built an extraordinary international career, but this conversation is about much more than business. Now Chief Commercial Officer of Lloyd’s and CEO of the Americas, Dawn joins us to talk about ambition, risk, resilience and what it really takes to reach the top. From dreaming of a career in international affairs to becoming one of the most senior women at Lloyd’s, Dawn reflects on learning to recognise her own value, overcoming self-doubt and why women should double down on what they’re brilliant at rather than worrying about what they’re not. She also speaks candidly about the realities behind a demanding career: motherhood, the sacrifices made along the way and her belief that “you can have it all — just not on the same day.” Away from work, Dawn is a competitive figure skater, has abseiled down the Lloyd’s building for charity and completed the Three Peaks Challenge. She also shares why encouraging girls into STEM and helping the next generation of female leaders matters so much to her. A fascinating and refreshingly honest conversation about taking risks, finding confidence, making choices and owning your place at the table.
S1 · E14
18 ago 2026
37:38
Charlotte Hurst – Type 1 Diabetes, Ultramarathons & Extraordinary Resilience
In this episode of The Great Women Podcast, we speak to Charlotte Hurst — chiropractor, endurance athlete and the first British woman with Type 1 diabetes to complete the Marathon des Sables. Charlotte shares the extraordinary story of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult after training for an Ironman, the fear and confusion of those early days, and how she went from lying on the floor on Christmas Eve after a severe hypo to competing in some of the toughest endurance races in the world. She opens up about resilience, burnout, under-fuelling, and the importance of building a strong support network when living with chronic illness. We also explore her work as a chiropractor for both humans and animals, the realities of female health and ageing, why strength and movement matter so much for women, and how endurance sport can offer rare moments of clarity and simplicity in an overwhelmingly busy world. An inspiring, honest and deeply empowering conversation about health, mindset, movement and discovering what you are truly capable of.
S1 · E13
16 giu 2026
38:33
Hillary Graves – Founder of Little Dish – Making Healthy Food Kids Love
In this episode of The Great Women Podcast, we speak to Hillary Graves, founder of Little Dish, about her journey from a marketing career in New York to building one of the UK's leading children's food brands. Hillary shares how she identified a gap in the market for nutritious, convenient meals for children and the challenges of creating awareness for a new category. She discusses the importance of staying true to her values while growing the business, and the role advertising, awards and partnerships have played in Little Dish's success. We also explore the realities of entrepreneurship, balancing work and family life, and the lessons Hillary has learned along the way.
S1 · E12
3 giu 2026
42:49
Laura Palmer and Jessie Sullivan - Founders of Pellerin Books - The Truth About Modern Publishing
In this episode of The Great Women Podcast, we’re joined by Laura Palmer and Jessie Sullivan, founders of Pellerin — the independent publishing house challenging the traditional publishing model and rethinking what long-term support for authors should look like. They discuss why so many writers are failed by the industry’s “feast or famine” approach, how discoverability really works in the age of algorithms and shrinking bookshop space, and why building a readership is a marathon, not a three-month publicity window. From idealistic pub conversations to launching a mission-driven publishing company, Laura and Jessie share the realities of modern publishing, the pressures facing authors and publishers alike, and why they believe the future of books lies in partnership, persistence and community. A fascinating conversation about creativity, business, storytelling and changing an industry from the inside out.
S1 · E11
27 mag 2026
47:39
Jo Fairley - Founder of Green & Black's - So Much More Than the Queen of Chocolate
What do you do after being told at 16 you're not destined for greatness? If you're Jo Fairley, you become the UK's youngest magazine editor at 23, launch an iconic ethical chocolate brand from your Portobello flat, and just... keep going. In this episode of The Great Women Podcast, we're joined by the co-founder of Green & Black's, the woman who helped put organic, Fairtrade chocolate on the map long before anyone was talking about conscious consumerism. Jo opens up about the leap of faith it took to build something from nothing, what it really means to trust your instincts, and why purpose-driven business isn't just good ethics, it's good strategy. And she was far from done after chocolate. Co-creator of The Beauty Bible and now founder of On The Scent, a magazine for fragrance obsessives everywhere. Jo Fairley is proof that a brilliant career isn't one big thing. And something tells us she's not done yet. This is a conversation about bold moves, big ideas, and the power of never standing still.
S1 · E10
19 mag 2026
40:11
Cindy Gallop - Founder of MakeLoveNotP*rn - Reframing the Conversation About Sex
Esplicito
Most of us grew up with little honest talk about sex — while distorted portrayals in p*rn became the default education for an entire generation. In this powerful episode, Cindy Gallop explains how taboo-driven sex education and unrestricted pornography are shaping unhealthy attitudes toward intimacy, consent, and connection. After a successful career in advertising, Cindy Gallop founded MakeLoveNotP*rn to challenge shame, normalize honest conversations about sex, and redefine healthy intimacy. She shares her experiences fighting ageism, embracing independence, and creating platforms that encourage transparency and connection. Bold, irreverent and unapologetic, Cindy Gallop will challenge everything you thought you knew about sex, intimacy, ageism, and the power of honest conversation.
S1 · E9
7 mag 2026
45:39
Katie Waldegrave MBE - Rethinking Education and Fostering in the UK
We’re joined by Katie Waldegrave - a passionate advocate for better education and fostering. Katie shares her journey from classroom teacher to founding three impactful charities: First Story alongside William Fiennes, Now Teach with Lucy Kellaway, and her latest venture, Now Foster with Laurie Kilby. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities within both the education and fostering systems, and the importance of creativity, community, and bringing more diverse life experience into both professions. Katie speaks powerfully about the role of stable, supportive relationships for children in care, and introduces innovative approaches like “Weekenders” - a model designed to open up fostering to more people in flexible, accessible ways. EL52HZVGRQcHoswf671l
S1 · E8
7 mag 2026
41:20
Renee McGregor - A Healthier Perspective on Food and Wellbeing
In this inspiring episode Renee McGregor, a leading sports dietitian with over 25 years of experience, shares her journey from NHS pediatrics to working with elite athletes, offering a fresh perspective on nutrition, RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport) and wellbeing. From mindfulness to the impact of social media, this conversation with Renee McGregor challenges toxic health narratives and redefines what it means to truly nourish your body.
S1 · E7
9 apr 2026
47:12
Kristine Beese - CEO of Untangle Money - Why Women Are Falling Behind Financially
Join us for an insightful conversation with Kristine Beese, founder of Untangle Money, as we explore the gender wealth gap and the unique financial challenges women face. From career breaks and caregiving to pension gaps and longer life expectancy, Kristine Beese unpacks the structural factors shaping women’s financial outcomes — and why traditional systems often fall short. She also shares practical steps for both individuals and employers to build confidence, improve financial wellbeing, and create a more equitable future.
S1 · E6
31 mar 2026
45:14
Amaka Okafor - From Birmingham to Netflix - Breaking Into Acting Without Connections
Amaka Okafor traces her journey from growing up in Birmingham to carving out a powerful presence on the West End and on Netflix. She reflects on how her cultural heritage has shaped her identity and creative voice, and how early experiences in community theatre ignited both her passion and sense of purpose as a performer. Amaka shares candid insights into the realities of the acting industry—highlighting the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and building trust in both collaborators and oneself. She speaks thoughtfully about the role of community, the lessons learned through challenges, and how staying grounded has helped her navigate an often unpredictable career path. Looking ahead, she discusses her ambitions across film and theatre, her desire to tell meaningful, representative stories, and her commitment to creating work that resonates with diverse audiences. This episode offers an honest and uplifting perspective on resilience, creativity, and forging your own path in the arts.
S1 · E5
24 mar 2026
46:00
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