Best Lessons From The CSuite Podcasts (2025)

1
No One Owes You Anything with Sope Agbelusi 17:36

15h ago17:36

17:36

This week's episode gets raw and real. Sope shares his personal experiences of business setbacks in 2025, the global rollback of DEI initiatives, the collapse of so-called "safe" investments, and the harsh reality of an unstable world. He explains why staying stuck in bitterness will only hold you back and how reclaiming ownership of your mindset i…

1
How to Create Space and Stillness in a Noisy World with Lilah Jones 58:43

15d ago58:43

58:43

We dive into Lilah's journey from growing up as the youngest of 11 children to leading at some of the world’s biggest tech companies like Microsoft, Oracle and now Google. But what stood out most to me was her raw honesty about burnout, worthiness, and the powerful transformation she experienced through creating silence in her life. We explore how …

1
Tola Alade's Journey as a Creative Entrepreneur 1:17:04

29d ago1:17:04

1:17:04

🔥Quotable Moment: “I really struggle with the word ‘entrepreneur’. When I go to networking events, I see how people introduce themselves with this glee when they say entrepreneur, but it’s actually just a grind. It’s just tough.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Tola Alade, serial Founder and a creative maverick with deep expe…

1
Why Tech Is the Great Equaliser with Bolaji Olatoye 1:07:17

1M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

In this conversation, Bolaji opens up about growing up in a Nigerian household where hierarchy shaped his early mindset — and how he slowly dismantled those internal limits. We explore the tension between creativity and conformity, surviving 18 years in corporate while holding onto purpose, and how faith, failure, and fierce vision kept him grounde…

1
Work-Life Balance Is A Lie with Sope Agbelusi 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

Chasing work-life balance is not only impossible—it's damaging your happiness, fueling guilt, anxiety, and burnout. In this powerful episode, Sope Agbelusi dismantles the myth of balance, revealing how the pursuit of an impossible ideal sets us up for constant stress and dissatisfaction. Inspired by Jay-Z's orchestral performance at Radio City Musi…

1
How Craig Pinkney is Disrupting the System for Good 1:10:39

2M ago1:10:39

1:10:39

🔥 Quotable Moment: “My positionality had to change from believing that I could stop this to can I reduce this? Because I now know I can reduce instead of stop, it enables me to sleep at night. If I can save one young buck other there, then I’m a good man.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Craig Pinkney, Criminologist, Urban Yo…

1
The Journey to Recovery: Revolutionising eating disorder treatment with Juniver's CEO, Emilie Faure 1:04:02

2M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

🔥 Quotable Moment: “Recovery is a journey. You haven’t failed because you’ve engaged with your behaviour once more. Every hour is the opportunity to do something that’s recovery promoting.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Emilie Faure, founder and CEO of Juniver, the science-based recovery program for disordered eating. Havin…

1
From Football Dreams to Property Success: Lee Anderson's Journey of Authentic Leadership without Ego 1:17:45

2M ago1:17:45

1:17:45

🔥 Quotable Moment: “I’m just who I am. It’s authenticity - what you see is what you get with me, and I search for that in other people.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Lee Anderson, founder and managing director of LeBern Property Services, founding partner of Genesis Property Network, non-executive director of Forbes Family…

1
The Champion Mindset: Lessons in Leadership from Olympian Marilyn Okoro 1:02:24

2M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

🔥 Quotable Moment: “If you are living and breathing on this earth, you’ve got a mind and access to a champion mindset. It’s not a question if you have it or not. It’s whether you’re willing to go there and make it a champion mindset.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Marilyn Okoro, Olympian, Higher Education and Local Governme…

1
How Top Leaders Navigate Uncertainty with Sope Agbelusi 22:07

3M ago22:07

22:07

🔥 Quotable Moment: “Leaders are confronted with a myriad of challenges that are testing their ability, their adaptability and their resilience, and how you lead through it is key.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I discuss a topic that will be front of mind for many leaders today - how to navigate uncertainty. No matter whether it’s adaptin…

1
The Key to Confidence & Representation: Angelina Darrisaw’s Journey from Pageantry to Award-Winning Executive Coach 1:05:14

3M ago1:05:14

1:05:14

🔥 Quotable Moment: “I’ve had to unlearn being afraid of difficult conversations, how to embrace conflict in a healthy way and stop putting things off that I’m afraid of, like the hard conversations and feedback.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Angelina Darrisaw, an award-winning entrepreneur, workplace inclusion champion and…

1
Redefining Success: Rotimi Merriman-Johnson's Journey to Mr MoneyJar & Beyond 1:09:54

3M ago1:09:54

1:09:54

🔥 Quotable Moment: “If you want to have a big impact in the world, you have to start with the world around you and work your way up.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Rotimi Merriman-Johnson, an award-winning financial content creator, podcaster, author and founder of Mr MoneyJar, a UK-based financial education company. While …

1
The Power of Curiosity: Breaking Barriers with Reverend Dr Kate Coleman 1:09:15

3M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

🔥 Quotable Moment: “Everything about us from the point of birth to adulthood, we are created for this constant shift, change and transformation. We don’t always lean into it, but we’re made for growth.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Reverend Dr Kate Coleman, the first black woman to be accredited as a Baptist minister in th…

1
The Power of Humility: Sebastian Wilson’s Journey from DJ to Tech Leader, Property Investor, Model & Actor 1:12:22

4M ago1:12:22

1:12:22

🔥 Quotable Moment: “I wouldn’t say it was the need to fit in, it was probably not the want to stand out. As I gained more confidence, I realised that parts of my identity are my superpower.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Sebastian Wilson, accomplished Leader, property investor, serial founder, keynote speaker, model, mentor…

1
3 Steps For Success In 2025 with Sope Agbelusi 12:22

4M ago12:22

12:22

🔥 Quotable Moment: "23% of individuals abandon their New Year's resolutions by the end of the first week." Are you tired of the "New Year, New Me" mentality? In this episode of Everyday Leadership, your host, Sope Agbelusi, explains why that mindset doesn't work and how to make sustainable changes instead. Say goodbye to unrealistic resolutions and…

1
What is Life About? 2024 Wrap Up with Sope Agbelusi 44:54

5M ago44:54

44:54

We've heard from leaders who, throughout the year, sacrificed everything to follow their calling—from giving up high-paying corporate jobs to stepping into unknown territories. Their stories remind us that true fulfilment often lies beyond our comfort zone. Walking in faith isn't always easy, as we learned from leaders who received clear callings b…

1
Don’t Fake it Till you Make it: Embracing Vulnerability with Sope Agbelusi 21:18

5M ago21:18

21:18

🔥 Quotable Moment: “Behind every leader, every Founder and every success story is a network of people. No one is self-made.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I discuss how a ‘fake it till you make it’ mentality will ultimately hold you and your personal growth back. Social media is notorious for making us feel like we can’t keep up. Especial…

1
Growing Through Pain: Leonard Fom’s Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 1:05:56

5M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

🔥 Quotable Moment: “My identity isn’t a job. It’s much more than that. I’m a human being and I have certain values and principles that I live by. If I see injustice, I’ll call it out.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Leonard Fom, The Chief Value Officer, Fractional CFO and Strategic Advisor. Following a successful career in f…

1
Dance, Media, And Menstrual Health: One Entrepreneur's Mission For Change with Candace Oxley 1:20:27

5M ago1:20:27

1:20:27

🔥 Quotable Moment "You can't be pulled forward and pulled back at the same time because if you're pulled in both directions, you'll stay exactly where you are." After a 20-year career in dance and founding the successful platform "In The Other News," Candace has embarked on perhaps her most impactful venture yet. The Gynae Project emerged from her …

1
The Authentic Networker: Building Bridges, Not Barriers with Shanice Mears 1:07:19

6M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

“People need to feel empowered in order to propel, especially if they’re young. You need someone that’s going to empower you, show up for you, help you and accept you.” In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I am joined by Shanice Mears, a multi-faceted leader and Co-Founder and Head of Talent at leading advertising agency, The ElephantGroup. From…

1
From Cleaner to CEO: Tommie Edwards Breaks Barriers 1:14:24

6M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

This week's episode is a masterclass in authenticity. We dive deep into the life of Tommie Edwards, a self-proclaimed introvert who transformed from managing a family business at 16 to becoming a venture-backed CEO of Tech1M but her story isn't just about business—it's about finding joy in life's simple moments while building something extraordinar…

1
From Stethoscope To Startup: A Doctor's Daring Pivot With Dr. Dupe Burgess 1:12:30

6M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

"I'm strong but I'm emotional... I'm loud and I'm confident. I love meeting people but I'm also really introverted." This week's episode is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and mission-driven leadership. Meet Dr. Dupe Burgess: former NHS doctor, ex-BCG consultant, and now founder and CEO of Bloomfall, an AI-driven solution revolutionizing…

1
Transforming Business From Within: The Power Of Intrapreneurship with Sope Agbelusi 29:57

6M ago29:57

29:57

"Innovation isn't a department, it's a mindset. And it's high time we started treating it that way." In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I explore the game-changing concept of intrapreneurship and how it interacts with technological advancement and AI adoption. Intrapreneurship is more than just a buzzword; it's your organisation's innovation e…

1
From Near-Death to New Heights: Dr. Anastacia Awad's Incredible Journey 1:25:55

7M ago1:25:55

1:25:55

"Embracing your multifaceted nature isn't a distraction; it's your competitive advantage." In this episode of Everyday Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Anastacia Awad, Executive Director and Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Novartis, a powerhouse transforming the pharma industry from within. Anastacia's journey is a testament to th…

1
From Burnout To Breakthrough: Sabrina Ben Salmi Story Of Resilience & Breakthrough 1:33:16

7M ago1:33:16

1:33:16

"I realised that in losing myself, I had the opportunity to redefine who I truly wanted to be." Sabrina Ben Salmi, a multi-award-winning business person development consultant, public speaker, UN delegate, author, publisher, and mother of five, shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. She emphasises the importance of embracing all of o…

1
Cultivating Courage: Aiko Bethea on Taking Risks and Embracing Change 1:12:49

7M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

"I embrace the strength that others might label as 'masculine.' Why would I be embarrassed about traits associated with power and decisiveness?" In this conversation, Sope speaks with Aiko Bethea, founder of Rare Culture and a consultant, about her journey as an innovative leader and experiences navigating different identities. Aiko shares her chil…

1
Daring To Disrupt: Molly Johnson-Jones Audacious Vision For The Future 59:00

7M ago59:00

59:00

"I went from being a statistic to creating a solution for millions." In this riveting episode of Everyday Leadership, we dive deep into the world of workplace revolution with Molly Johnson-Jones, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Flexa. From her shocking layoff experience to the serendipitous pub conversation that birthed a game-changing idea. Wi…

1
Benefits Beyond Enrollment 22:06

7M ago22:06

22:06

Welcome to another episode of the Putting Numbers to Work podcast from MetLife, where we sit down with workplace experts to delve into the challenges facing the workforce today and distill them into lessons employers can put into action! On this episode, host Marquis Smallwood is joined by Kate Duncan, Chief Experience Officer at Nayya, a company o…

1
The Art of Microdosing Joy: Small Actions for Big Happiness with Rebecca Scott 1:07:18

7M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

"Being the smartest person in the room is fun for a little bit, but you're not gonna grow from that." Joy seems an unlikely companion in a world where tragedy and life-altering conditions often cast long shadows. Yet, today's guest challenges everything we thought we knew about happiness in the face of adversity. Meet Rebecca Scott, a woman who rec…

1
Building A Lasting Legacy: Helping Others Become Better with Shirene Agbelusi 1:07:21

8M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

"If people say that they're walking into what God has called them to do and they've not had to make any sacrifices, I would question that." One of the most requested guests and my favourite guest is back as she celebrates her milestone birthday. Of course, I am talking about Shirene Agbelusi, my wonderful wife. In this episode, we flip the script t…

1
Flight Plan for Success: Life Insights from Captain Sarah Brodie 1:01:58

8M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

"I've missed numerous school plays, sports matches... You miss stuff, you just miss stuff." In this inspiring episode of Everyday Leadership, host Sope Agbelusi sits down with Sarah Brodie, a trailblazing commercial airline captain who's changing the face of aviation. Sarah shares her incredible journey from childhood dreams to becoming one of the …

1
From Good To Great: Mastering The Art Of Letting Go with Sope Agbelusi 22:59

8M ago22:59

22:59

"Sometimes the best additions to your life isn't anymore. It's subtracting." In this transformative episode of Everyday Leadership, host Sope Agbelusi delves into the powerful concept of strategic subtraction and how it can propel you from good to great. Sope shares his experience of transitioning from a successful consultancy to fully embracing hi…

1
Sisterhood In Action: The Game-Changing Impact Of Brown Skin Girls Network 1:37:43

8M ago1:37:43

1:37:43

"When you're around successful people, you can be around successive people and still feel like the outsider. Even though you're successful yourself, you never truly belong." In this powerful episode of Everyday Leadership, we sit down with the four founders of the Brown Skinned Girls Network: Nkiru, Anya, Jane, and Jaynee. These remarkable women sh…

1
Daring To Be Different: Thanh Catachanas' Unconventional Journey To Success 1:07:26

9M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

"This isn't a dress rehearsal, is it? We're living our lives now. So I just need to find the happiness and the peace of mind." In this inspiring episode of Everyday Leadership, we dive deep with Thanh Catachanas, a trailblazing figure in media and advertising as Head of Collaboration and Acquisition at JCDecaux. From her journey as a child of Vietn…

1
From Survival To Success: Hannah Awonuga's Electrifying Corporate Transformation 52:08

9M ago52:08

52:08

"When you take your power back, you are in the driving seat of your career." In this episode of Everyday Leadership, Sope Agbelusi talks to Hannah Awonuga, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Knight Frank, mother of three, wife, and woman of faith. Hannah shares the details of her journey, from experiencing homelessness as a teenager to her fir…

1
The Roller Coaster Ride of Entrepreneurship with Sope Agbelusi 26:48

9M ago26:48

26:48

In this episode, Sope Agbelusi dives into the realities of the entrepreneurial rollercoaster journey from nurturing an idea to moments of success and the dreaded drop. While were often shown an entrepreneur's impressive achievements and accolades, the gruelling reality of what happens behind the scenes is pretty obscure. No one sees the late nights…

1
From Outcasts To Innovators: Kevin Davis' Radical Education Transformation 1:06:02

9M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Theres a synergy that can be created through collaborative working. The together bit. That will produce exponentially more than if we try to do stuff on our own. The economy of together. In this episode of Everyday Leadership, Sope Agbelusi talks to Kevin Davis, social entrepreneur and CEO of the Vine Trust Group about his leadership journey. Kevin…

1
From Rock Bottom to Resilience: Josh Connolly's Journey of Addiction, Recovery, and Transformation 1:14:57

10M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

"I was drinking and using drugs a lot. And by the time I was 24, I'd had four children in a marriage that had broken down. And I didn't want to be here anymore." Today, we welcome Josh Connolly, a resilience and well-being coach, breathwork practitioner, and author of the new book "Its Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim…

1
Breaking Free from Your Backstory: Writing a New Chapter with Justice Williams 1:22:22

10M ago1:22:22

1:22:22

When I got out of prison I had no money, no carpet, no wallpaper and I would wake up every day, go to this youth project and I was so happy and so full of purpose. In this powerful episode, we sit down with the inspiring Justice Williams MBE, a multi-award-winning personal brand strategist, keynote speaker, and co-founder of the UK Black Business M…

1
The ROI of Wellness 27:48

10M ago27:48

27:48

CEO of Wellhub (formerly Gympass), Cesar Carvalho, joins Marquis Smallwood on the Season 3 premiere of Putting Numbers to Work, a podcast from MetLife where experts take complex ideas from across the benefits research landscape and distill them into lessons employers can put to action. Cesar sits down with Marquis to reflect on what sparked his pas…

1
A Rebel with a Cause: Ritika Wadhwa on Pursuing Your Dreams Against the Odds 1:06:26

10M ago1:06:26

1:06:26

"Call it a rebel, call it black sheep, call it whatever anyone wants. All I was doing along the way was living my life on my terms." Ritika Wadhwa , CEO and founder of Prabhaav Global shares her journey of breaking barriers and living life on her own terms. From facing gender expectations in a patriarchal society to navigating the challenges of bei…

1
From Hard Work To Smart Work: Redefining Professional Growth with Sope Agbelusi 28:05

10M ago28:05

28:05

Most people fail, not because of a lack of effort, but because their effort is misdirected. Weve been raised in a world that constantly tells us that working hard will help us achieve everything we deserve and have dreamed of. We often get so wrapped up in the idea of working hard (and then frustrated when things dont quite go as planned) that we f…

1
Welcome to Season 3 0:42

10M ago0:42

0:42

Welcome to Putting Numbers To Work, Season 3! Marquis Smallwood, Metlife’s Western Region Vice President and your host, is back to discuss the most critical trends across the benefits research landscape, with experts in the field. Together, they’ll continue to reveal the best ways to stay competitive, and put employees in the strongest position for…

1
Authentic Achievement: Honouring Your True Calling With Renée Davis 1:04:18

11M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

"I think saying no, saying no is a big one. And sometimes you don't even have to give a reason. That's fine to just say no and it be a no." In this inspiring episode of Everyday Leadership, Sope Agbelusi sits down with Renee Davis, the multi-award-winning founder of Out the Box, a community builder, speaker, writer, and editor. Renee shares her rem…

1
Unbreakable: Grace Masuro's Remarkable Journey Of Resilience And Transformation 1:03:35

11M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

"I did not enter an argument that I knew I wouldn't win. And if I entered the argument, you were not going to win that argument because I came to that argument with facts. I came to that argument with evidence, and I came to that argument with reason." In this episode of Everyday Leadership, Sope Agbelusi interviews Grace Masuro, the organisational…

1
Conquering Fear And Doubt: How Kimberly Ofori Transitioned From Banking To Exiting Two Startups 1:17:10

11M ago1:17:10

1:17:10

"I worked incredibly hard for that company up until that time, and I had the receipts. And this is kind of how quickly people can now find you less valuable." This episode features Kimberly Ofori, a banker turned management consultant, turned successful tech entrepreneur. Having founded and sold two companies in the past decade & working with clien…

1
Unlocking The Secrets To Intentional Living with Sope Agbelusi 25:37

11M ago25:37

25:37

In this episode, Sope Agbelusi delves into intentional living, emphasising that his current lifestyle results from conscious choices aligned with his core values, goals, and aspirations rather than mere luck. He introduces the Decide Framework, a tool for intentional decision-making that involves defining, evaluating, considering, implementing, ded…

1
The Acculturation Advantage: Jane Hyun's Insights on Adapting Without Assimilating 1:11:57

12M ago1:11:57

1:11:57

"I could not help but write the book because I felt like the Asian perspective was missing from the diversity conversation." In this conversation, Jane Hyun, a leading authority on leveraging culture and diversity in businesses, discusses her journey of bridging differences and navigating cultural challenges in the corporate world. She shares insig…

1
Emerging From The Shadows: Tactics To Boost Your Career And Visibility with Mary Adeyemi 1:27:10

12M ago1:27:10

1:27:10

"Too many women, in particular, are underutilised, whether by their own design or by the design of others, but there's a big disconnect." In this episode of Everyday Leadership, we have an insightful conversation with Mary Mosope Adeyemi, a speaker, corporate trainer, career strategist, and author of the multi-award-winning book "Visibility of Visi…

1
Reframing Challenges as Opportunities: A Mindset for Success with Joanne Conway 1:03:19

12M ago1:03:19

1:03:19

"I refuse to feel shame for something that I've no control over Joanne Conway, Head of Inclusion at DLA Piper, shares her journey from a challenging childhood to a successful career in finance and diversity and inclusion. Her values of fairness and opportunity have guided her throughout her life. Joanne emphasises the importance of belonging and it…

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