The emPOWER Breakfast

Karen Cunningham: Longevity, Reinvention & Becoming an Award-Winning Director in Advertising

In this final episode of season 2 of the emPOWER Breakfast Podcast, Founder and Host Athene Parker is joined by award-winning director Karen Cunningham for an insightful conversation about longevity, reinvention, and building a career in the advertising and film industry. Karen’s career spans decades, with multiple creative chapters from early ambitions as an actor, to working in advertising as a TV producer, moving into production as a talent scout and producer, co-founding her own production company Pink Films, and ultimately from there, stepping into a decades long, award winning directing career. Her journey is a powerful example of what it means to evolve, adapt and sustain a long-term creative career. Karen is known for her emotionally rich, human-led storytelling and her ability to draw authentic performances with her AMAZING casting, often from non-actors. Her directing career began with the award-winning short film “Wonderful World,” created for a children’s charity, which marked a defining turning point and launched her behind the camera, the project sweeping the board at the award ceremonies establishing Karen as an impactful voice shaping the landscape of brands and the ad industry alike. With warmth, honesty and humour, Karen reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her path, including navigating gender bias as a female director, building resilience through uncertainty, and embracing reinvention at every stage of life. Together, Athene and Karen explore: * What it takes to build a long-lasting career in the advertising and film industries * The power of reinvention and career pivots * The realities of being a female director in a male-dominated industry * How producing shaped Karen’s creative instinct and leadership * The importance of authentic storytelling and human connection in film * Balancing personal challenges alongside professional success * What it truly means to direct your life with intention This is a conversation about experience, instinct, and staying power.. and a reminder that longevity in creative careers is not just about talent, but about resilience, self-belief and evolution over time. The chat is woven around a journey through music and memory. Sit back, relax and enjoy. 🎧✨ 🎶 EPISODE PLAYLIST Track 1 – Blowin In The Wind - Bob Dylan Track 2 – Like A Prayer - Madonna Track 3 – Blinded By Your Grace - Stormzy Track 4 – Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong Track 5 – Perfect Day - BBC Version 1997 🎧 LISTEN TO THE EMPOWER BREAKFAST – KAREN CUNNINGHAM SPOTIFY PLAYLIST [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36NfyEahw13YURC17pEgL3?si=yPC1x4hJSben28QXIz8AXA&pi=ilvL15QLQz6tY] Karen Cunningham, female director, advertising industry, film director interview, women in film, creative careers, career longevity, reinvention, storytelling, directing commercials, PRETTYBIRD PLEASE FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow, rate and review The emPOWER Breakfast Podcast. it helps more people discover these conversations and supports the growth of this community. 💫 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Athene Parker is in glorious conversation with Mia Powell about resilience, reinvention and rediscovering joy

In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by MAMAMIA Founder Mia Powell, for an uplifting conversation about resilience, reinvention and what it means to rebuild yourself through periods of change. Following a theme of rootlessness in her early years that manifested in her pushing herself to the edges, she turned her destiny around and has worked in advertising and production at some of the biggest and best agency and production company names in the industry. Mia, founder of Mamamia Talent representing Business/Club, Riff Raff and Love Song, reflects on the personal and professional shifts that have shaped her journey, sharing candid thoughts on identity, leadership and creativity as a woman of colour in advertising.. and the courage it takes to start again. With warmth, humour and vulnerability, she explores how life’s more challenging moments can often lead us back to ourselves in unexpected and powerful ways. Mia is fiercely creative in her approach to everything she does which shines through in this conversation. Together, Athene and Mia talk about redefining success, rediscovering joy and learning to hold both ambition and humanity at the same time. It’s a frank conversation, and one that will resonate with anyone navigating change, whether in work, life, or both. The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 – Sweet Like Chocolate - Shanks & Bigfoot Track 2 – Hotel California - The Eagles Track 3 – Jets - Bonobo Track 4 – Down The Line - It Takes A Number - Romare Track 5 – So U Kno - Overmono The emPOWER Breakfast - Mia Powell Spotify Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2qPce105pQOshzWi5Pj1it?si=NAqlV2IvR0amhPWO4L-rhQ&pi=mqEIqOzFT1aXJ&nd=1&dlsi=aea1e14ba90348d5] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Athene Parker is joined by Rani Patel, for a profoundly moving conversation about loss, leadership and the journey of self-discovery

In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by Rani Patel, for a profoundly moving conversation about loss, leadership and the journey of self-discovery through spirituality and creativity. Rani shares her thoughts on life and purpose, believing that creation is a spiritual act, that the business of advertising, at its best, is the art of manifesting the nebulous into matter. Together, they explore intuition, dreams and the unseen forces that guide us, as Rani reflects on the recent loss of her stepfather and the ways grief reshapes both our inner and creative worlds. Former co-founder of Calling and now Brand and Business Partner at Creator Lab at adam&eve/TBWA, Rani is a pivotal and deeply respected voice within the network. We are honoured to welcome her singular vision, wisdom and vulnerability to the emPOWER series. The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 – Dreams - Gabrielle Track 2 – No Matter What They Say - Lil Kim Track 3 – So Far To Go - J Dilla, Common, D’Angelo Track 4 – Mystic Brew - Ronnie Foster Track 5 – Ultra Beam - Sunday Service Choir The emPOWER Breakfast - Rani Patel Spotify Playlist  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5i899eupvv2am1IddAd6Hk?si=8pMqpWAxRVi5DebZ3LVbcA] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Athene Parker talks to actor Perry Power about generational silence, storytelling and the role of emotional honesty in healing

Trigger Warning - This episodes discusses theme’s of Sexual Abuse  In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by Perry Power for a deeply thoughtful and courageous conversation about breaking generational silence, storytelling and the role of emotional honesty in healing. An actor and entrepreneur, Perry speaks openly about his work as founder of the Be Powerful movement, supporting survivors of sexual abuse to reclaim their voices through writing, film and community. He reflects on why men’s stories are still so often unheard, the impact of silence on identity and wellbeing, and the responsibility we all share in creating safer, more compassionate spaces for truth to be spoken. Together, Athene and Perry explore how storytelling can become a powerful path to recovery, how vulnerability reshapes ideas of strength and leadership, and why emotionally intelligent conversations are essential both at work and at home. The episode touches on masculinity, creativity, care and the quiet courage it takes to show up authentically, even when it feels uncomfortable. He wanted to give you his free guide to writing your story [https://stan.store/iamperrypower/p/get-my-free-writing-guide-get-it-out-of-you] so click and download and start to explore your own story in a safe space. Perry has also written two books with a third on the way: Breaking The Silence [https://amzn.eu/d/itq5ooH] and his second book Story Medicine [https://storymedicine.io/] is coming out soon!  Perry is fundraising for his film ‘It Ends With Me’ so if you would like details please click here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S4fgeTeTPTElmwVEXwWEykd1Mf7WhHuY/view?usp=drive_link]. The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 – Grease - Frankie Valli Track 2 – Thinkin Bout Me - Morgan Wallen Track 3 – An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley Track 4 – Gonna Fly Now - Theme from Rocky Track 5 – If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley The emPOWER Breakfast  - Perry Power Spotify Playlist  [https://thepregnantman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tpm_menu_by_day_sep23.pdf] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Athene Parker talks to BBC Presenter Jennifer Bartram about resilience, confidence and finding steadiness in a digital world

In this episode, Athene Parker is joined by broadcast journalist Jennifer Bartram for a powerful and honest conversation about resilience, confidence and navigating the impact of early personal loss, growing up onscreen and navigating online abuse. With more than twenty years on screen at the BBC, Jen reflects on a career shaped by storytelling and public connection. She also speaks candidly about the emotional toll of being targeted online, the knock to confidence that followed, and the intentional determination it took to rebuild a sense of safety and self. Together, Athene and Jen explore how we hold space for ourselves in challenging moments, how confidence can be reclaimed after adversity, and why clear communication remains such a vital tool in every setting, from the studio to everyday life. Jen also shares practical strategies for reducing digital overwhelm, grounding in real-life connection and supporting our own wellbeing in an always-on world. The chat is woven around a trip down a musical memory lane. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Track 1 – Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark Track 2 – Smokey Robinson - Tears of A Clown Track 3 – Radiohead - No Surprises Track 4 – Katy Perry - Raw Track 5 – Primal Scream - Moving On Up  The emPOWER Breakfast - Jennifer Bartram Spotify Playlist  [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5knP1wIAI7gVacYQUMo7hY?si=tu3ibJb5RS-EjOrnqLAYww] Jen talked about a wonderful supportive Facebook community called Adults Bereaved As Children. A place where she has found empathy and support around her feelings of grief losing her father aged 16. For people with teens interested to read how social media is affecting young people Jen recommended The Anxious Generation [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/1802063277/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2J8X390SGH88W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MKNOqGXhH-H02HuhVIvbzWbUxtUul_7FKAhuRyK6UeAkgt12WFoVyP1msHh-Fx83hKPZMCi5P2sbSIYR8WJj6cEOhTLoC4xxowDlEaAgncr_PKXCIkEtc2ZE2yLJ6pKj9jB89B-KUKcVI92elJjwAk-5Y1xtnkjAuWUV5iiCm7kuIp_D75p_vXd7o4UjS5W6q5ojv3iKYWe5UphOg6QiEHbvJ7ltv7oewQNEWZLW7sw.fnCzXH-mF8Nhsi_-NmQ15iabOpSwVsZHBeV70-bgEFg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+anxious+generation+jonathan+haidt&qid=1765890803&sprefix=the+anxious+%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-1] by Jonathan Haidt. Jen also offered practical ideas for creating healthier boundaries with technology, from grounding ourselves offline to removing the visual prompts that drive habitual scrolling. Jen’s Digital Wellbeing Tip: Turning on Greyscale (iPhone): Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Colour Filters → switch ON → select Greyscale To add a quick shortcut: Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Shortcut → select Colour Filters Triple-click the side button to toggle greyscale instantly. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.