Struggling to break free from the UK’s “play it safe” mindset?

In this explosive episode, Josh White, founder of Cano Water, gets real about why British culture is stuck in a cycle of skepticism, lack of support, and shutting down bold ideas before they can breathe.

He shares raw truths about growing up with ADHD, battling addiction, and constantly being underestimated.

He exposes how our resistance to backing innovators and celebrating success holds the UK back, while the US supercharges visionaries. If you know you’re meant for more, but keep hitting a wall of doubt and gatekeeping, this conversation will hopefully inspire you and give you the resilience to keep going.

We Cover:

01:08 – How growing up as the underdog shaped his drive
03:03 – The moment ADHD was diagnosed and what changed
06:18 – Understanding the link between ADHD and addiction
09:09 – How addiction masked deeper struggles (and why sobriety mattered)
12:06 – What it’s actually like to live and work with ADHD
16:00 – How to build a company without ‘fitting in’
20:18 – Creating Cano Water when nobody believed in it
25:10 – Why being different matters, and the truth about risk
28:12 – The real problem with the United Kingdom mindset and backing new ideas
33:07 – Fixed mindset vs growth mindset: what’s holding us back
37:43 – Small things any of us can do to build a more supportive culture
40:20 – Nurturing belief and creativity, why it starts young
44:13 – The courage to show up and keep leading (even when it’s hard)

Don’t miss this emotive and thought-provoking episode packed with practical ideas for ambitious leaders, creative thinkers, and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

Why do so many successful leaders still feel stuck, disconnected, or self doubt, even when things look good on paper?

In this solo episode, I explore how senior leaders, founders, and leadership teams can build self-trust by listening to their three intelligence centres: head, heart, and gut, especially when making difficult decisions or designing a life that truly fits.

This reflection draws on my work with CEOs and leadership teams, alongside my own journey of learning to trust myself beyond logic, external validation, and “what I should do.”

This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the internal signals that guide brave leadership, aligned decision-making, and sustainable success, so you can lead, decide, and live with more courage and clarity.

00:00 – Why so many successful leaders still feel disconnected
02:15 – Courage starts with listening, not confidence
05:10 – The three intelligence centres every leader has
08:30 – The Head: clarity, logic, and the overthinking trap
12:40 – The Heart: values, emotion, and what really matters
17:20 – The Gut: instinct, timing, and quiet courage
22:10 – What happens when one centre dominates your leadership
26:30 – Designing a life that actually feels like yours
30:40 – Simple questions to build self-trust in decisions
35:10 – A closing reflection on choosing courage differently

Reflection Questions for Leaders
• Which intelligence centre do I default to under pressure?
• What has my gut been trying to tell me that I’ve rationalised away?
• Where am I living a version of success that looks right — but feels wrong?
• What would a 10% more courageous decision look like right now?

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode which can help your leadership and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54

How do you lead with conviction when everything is changing around you?

It’s the big question for every UK leader right now and exactly why I invited Simon Cook, CEO of Cannes Lions, onto the podcast.

In this episode, we get honest about what it really takes to let go of control, build true trust in your team, and stay resilient even when things don’t go as planned.

We dive into:
• When to keep going, and when to let go
• The link between conviction and coordination in leadership
• Why control feels safe – but stops growth
• Managing failure without losing momentum
• Leading through mergers and high-stakes change
• How to stay calm and mentally fit (even when your diary explodes)

It’s practical, candid, and focuses on what UK leaders need now: leading bravely, staying relevant, and keeping your energy focused.

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why leading with conviction can become a weakness
04:21 – Building a smarter team and learning to trust
07:11 – The role of failure in leadership
09:37 – Conviction and coordination: the keys to change
10:33 – How Simon navigated a 500-person business through a major acquisition
12:29 – Staying confident when you actually feel uncertain
14:01 – The importance of staying grounded and calm for your team
15:51 – Learning from mergers, culture shifts, and tough decisions
17:26 – Evolving your leadership style as everything changes
19:00 – What’s really happening in the UK marketing industry right now
22:40 – Where UK creativity is heading next
24:06 – The advice Simon would give every agency CEO
28:17 – Protecting your brand and your time under pressure
33:02 – Practical ways to help leaders prioritise, focus, and say no
35:19 – Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever
36:22 – Leading through failure, and making learning collective
37:23 – Being bolder, more disciplined, and mentally fit for the future

Don’t miss this down-to-earth, actionable conversation. If you’re navigating organisational change, agency mergers, or just struggling to keep your team steady, this episode gives you the kind of real, UK-focused leadership advice we all need.

In a world of constant strategic change, this conversation focuses on how to manage change effectively within your business, emphasising practical management techniques for organisational design and personal development.

👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ

🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/

→ Join our newsletter for courageous leadership insights and advice.
👉 Subscribe here: https://the-change-creators.kit.com/1a5f3c9e54