The Company You Keep with Jack Aspden

From Admin to Authority: Sharon O'Dea's Journey

From admin roles to authority in digital workplace strategy - Sharon O'Dea's career journey is anything but linear. In this episode, Sharon takes us through her rise from a working-class background in West London to co-founding a consultancy specialising in digital workplace and internal communications. Along the way: pivotal moments in journalism, navigating the Houses of Parliament, building networks that matter, and the brutal reality of burnout in high-pressure environments. Sharon gets refreshingly honest about: * How mentors shaped her trajectory when she didn't have a roadmap * The evolution of digital communications and social media's impact on internal comms * Navigating social class and culture in corporate environments * The moment she realised she had to walk away from a toxic workplace * Transitioning to freelancing and intentionally building a sustainable practice * What's next: writing a book and a residency in Japan exploring the future of work Key takeaway? Confidence isn't innate - it's built through experience, knowledge, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path isn't clear. If you're navigating career transitions, burnout, or wondering how to build relationships that actually move your career forward - this conversation will resonate.

Short: From Admin to Authority: Sharon O'Dea's Journey

In this conversation, Sharon O'Dea shares her journey from a working-class background in West London to becoming a co-founder of a consultancy specializing in digital workplace and internal communications. She discusses her early career challenges, the importance of networking, and the impact of mentors. Sharon reflects on her experiences in both the public and private sectors, including her time at the Houses of Parliament and a major bank. She candidly addresses issues of burnout and the importance of mental health in the workplace. Looking ahead, Sharon is excited about her upcoming book on digital communications and a residency in Japan focused on the future of work.

At the Edge of Change: Alex Comyn’s Journey Through Media and Digital

In this episode of The Company You Keep, Jack sits down with Alex Comyn, Brand Experience Principal at AND Digital, to trace a career that has spanned music, media, and digital transformation. Alex grew up in London’s cultural melting pot, started his working life on Fleet Street, and found himself holding the Stone Roses long-awaited second album before anyone else. From there, his journey moved into the first wave of digital agencies, where he helped brands like Barclays, Toyota, and Audi reinvent how they connect with customers. This is a conversation about risk, resilience, and relationships - from learning to say no at the right time, to betting on the internet when others thought it was a fad, to building the kinds of teams that can pitch (and win) some of the biggest accounts in the world. Above all, Alex’s story is proof of the power of the company you keep: the colleagues, clients, and friends who shape your trajectory. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * Alex’s unconventional start in music and media – and how it shaped his view of trust and creativity * Why growing up in a diverse community was the foundation for his career in strategy * His leap from the music industry into digital, and the conviction that “this internet thing” would change the world * The pivotal role mentors and colleagues played in his development * Reinventing brands like Toyota and Barclays in the digital age * Hard lessons from leadership, redundancy, and resilience * Why culture and people always outweigh process and tech Links & Mentions: * The Company You Keep podcast: Follow on Spotify * AND Digital: https://and.digital * Alex Comyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-comyn-369999/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-comyn-369999/]

Short: At the Edge of Change: Alex Comyn’s Journey Through Media and Digital

Alex Comyn on career pivots, digital transformation, strategy, leadership, music industry stories, big brand reinvention, and why your inner circle defines your success. Full episode drops Friday!

From Symantec to Silicon Valley - Lessons in Strategy, Mentorship & Wellbeing w/ Mark Zawacki

From Symantec's rocket-ship years to the dot-com boom, global consulting, and now advising corporates and startups worldwide - Mark Zawacki has lived through the major shifts in tech and strategy over the last 30 years. In this conversation, Mark shares the mentors who shaped him, the lessons he picked up building Symantec's European operations, and what he learned riding the wave of business re-engineering at Index Consulting. We also dive into: * Why he believes relationships are the real currency of getting things done * The rules of consulting he still applies today * The highs and lows of moving into venture investing during the dot-com bubble * How reverse mentoring keeps him sharp * And his personal framework for Total Wellbeing - nine pillars that make career success sustainable It's a wide-ranging and energising conversation about careers, strategy, mentorship, and how to keep reinventing yourself across decades and continents. Chapters * Mark Zawacki's Background and Career Journey * Education and Early Career Insights * First Job at Symantec and Early Mentorship * Foundational Skills and Growth at Symantec * Transition to Consultancy and Further Career Development * Navigating a Changing Career Landscape * The Power of Mentorship in Consulting * Learning from Experience: Rankin's Rules of Consulting * Transitioning to Australia: A New Chapter * The Internet Boom and Venture Capital * Consulting in a Post-Bubble World * Building a Diverse and Effective Team * The Importance of Networking and Relationships * The Essence of Networking * Reverse Mentoring Dynamics * Total Wellbeing Framework * The Interconnectedness of Wellbeing * Building Meaningful Relationships * Creating Community through Fitness * Exploring New Business Ventures