From Betrayal to Clarity: Leadership Lessons with Mark “The Crisp Guy” Matthews

From Rock Bottom to Resilience: Talia Lazarus on Getting Back Up

Welcome to Every Conversation Counts! In this episode of Every Conversation Counts, we’re joined by Talia Lazarus, sports presenter and host of the I Got Back Up podcast, whose life changed in an instant following an accident that left her unable to walk. What followed was a journey of rebuilding in every sense. From re-learning how to walk in her mid-twenties to running the London Landmarks Half Marathon just a year after surgery, Talia’s story is one of resilience, mindset, and redefining identity after everything falls apart. But this conversation goes beyond the physical recovery. It explores what it really means to hit rock bottom and how we begin again when we no longer recognise ourselves. We also reflect on a powerful reminder shared in the episode: “You don’t have to set fire to your life, just that bit that isn’t serving you well.” This podcast was brought to you by Every Connection Counts, a global performance consultancy specialising in improving communication. If you’re curious about the work we do or how we can help, please head to our website for more information: https://everycc.co.uk/ [https://everycc.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Betrayal to Clarity: Leadership Lessons with Mark “The Crisp Guy” Matthews

Welcome to Every Conversation Counts! In this episode of Every Conversation Counts, we’re joined by Mark Matthews, better known as The Crisp Guy - an entrepreneur, leadership speaker, and mentor whose story challenges conventional ideas about strength and success. Mark built a thriving IT business, only to experience devastating betrayal that forced him to rebuild both his company and his identity from the ground up.  Known for his honest, no-nonsense storytelling, Mark shares the moment that reshaped his thinking, a simple abandoned crisp packet that became a metaphor for accountability, culture, and leadership responsibility. What might seem like a small moment sparked a deeper reflection on how leaders show up, the standards they set, and the courage required to address uncomfortable truths. Today, Mark helps individuals and organisations embrace values-led leadership, encouraging people to strip away pretence and lead with authenticity, vulnerability, and clarity. In this conversation, we explore: * Why vulnerability is one of the most powerful tools in leadership * How values act as an anchor during crisis * The importance of having the difficult conversations others avoid * What betrayal and rebuilding taught Mark about trust and resilience * How small moments, like a crisp packet on the floor, can reveal big truths about culture This podcast was brought to you by Every Connection Counts, a global performance consultancy specialising in improving communication. If you’re curious about the work we do or how we can help, please head to our website for more information: https://everycc.co.uk/ [https://everycc.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Beyond the Highlights: Women’s Sport, Courage, and the Conversations That Matter with Emma Oldfield

Welcome to Every Conversation Counts! In this episode of Every Conversation Counts, we’re joined by Emma Oldfield - sports presenter, creator, and host of Game Face Off - for a raw and powerful conversation about resilience, storytelling, and purpose.  With over six years’ experience across BBC, Channel 4, and SkyShowtime, Emma has built a career at the intersection of storytelling and impact. Today, her work reaches more than 5 million people each month, using digital platforms to elevate women’s sport and create meaningful connections. Emma opens up about the conversations with others and with herself that changed everything. Together, we explore vulnerability in leadership, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and why honest storytelling matters more than ever. In this episode, we explore: * Emma’s journey into sport, storytelling, and purpose * The conversation that reshaped how she communicates and leads * What it really means to go behind the highlights reel * Holding space for difficult, vulnerable conversations * Lessons from major broadcasters and digital communities * The role of self-talk in showing up authentically * The future of storytelling in women’s sport This podcast was brought to you by Every Connection Counts, a global performance consultancy specialising in improving communication. If you’re curious about the work we do or how we can help, please head to our website for more information: https://everycc.co.uk/ [https://everycc.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Curiosity, Courage, and a Father’s Fight: Jonathan Bracey on Rare Disease and Showing Up When It Counts.

Welcome to Every Conversation Counts! When Jonathan Bracey’s son George was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition - Mosaic Variegated Aneuploidy (MVA) Syndrome - his world changed overnight.  What began as a desperate search for answers became a powerful mission: to connect, support, and give hope to other families facing the unknown. In this deeply moving conversation, Jonathan speaks with host Toni Jennings about what it means to stay curious when the answers are hard, how resilience is a choice we make daily, and why he founded The MVA Society, a charity that’s now giving rare families across the globe a voice. Together, they explore the emotional grit it takes to navigate the rare disease space, the power of advocacy through communication, and how every conversation - no matter how small - can make a lasting difference.   In this episode: * The conversation that changed everything for Jonathan and his family * What it really means to “show up” when life feels impossible * How asking “why” became a lifeline * Why storytelling and connection are at the heart of advocacy For more information about the MVA Society or to find out how you can help, please head to www.mvasociety.org [www.mvasociety.org] This podcast was brought to you by Every Connection Counts, a global performance consultancy specialising in improving communication. If you’re curious about the work we do or how we can help, please head to our website for more information: https://everycc.co.uk/ [https://everycc.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Conversations that Build Resilience with Michelle Hartley

Welcome to Every Conversation Counts! In this episode of Every Conversation Counts, Emma sits down with Michelle Hartley, MD of People Sorted and an experienced HR and culture specialist who has helped organisations across industries build resilient, connected, and values-led teams. Michelle brings a wealth of insight into how people thrive in hybrid and evolving workplaces, and she shares how meaningful conversations can be the difference between burnout and breakthrough. Together, we explore: * The role of self-awareness and preferences in shaping effective teams * How leaders can spot early cues of burnout or disengagement * What a healthy workplace culture really looks like in practice * Why people-led, insight-driven strategies help teams feel supported and perform at their best With a background spanning HR, leadership coaching, and organisational development, Michelle highlights how conversations can bridge the gap between good intentions and great culture.  If you’re a manager, leader, or simply passionate about creating thriving workplaces, this episode is full of practical insights you can apply straight away. This podcast was brought to you by Every Connection Counts, a global performance consultancy specialising in improving communication. If you’re curious about the work we do or how we can help, please head to our website for more information: https://everycc.co.uk/ [https://everycc.co.uk/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.