From Centre Stage to Storytelling: This Was Always the Path, SoT welcomes Maureen Manning

Crafting Your Own Narrative, Lily and Alice Reflect

In this episode of Sex on Top, it’s just us — reflecting on the lessons from Season One and the themes that stayed with us after our conversation with Maureen Manning. Inspired by Maureen’s powerful reminder that “this was always the path,” we explore what it means to trust your journey, make intentional choices, and recognise that leadership is rarely linear. From preparing for weddings and busy summers to creating a sense of home and sanctuary, this is a conversation about slowing down and prioritising what matters most. We also dive into the difference between coaching and mentoring, the value of building your own personal board of directors, and why surrounding yourself with people who challenge and champion you can make all the difference. At the heart of this episode is the idea that leadership is a journey, not a destination. It requires reflection, self-awareness, and the courage to make decisions that align with your values — even when they look different from what others expect. Honest, thoughtful, and grounding, this episode is an invitation to reconnect with your north star and trust that every step is part of the story Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sexontoppod/] and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilywednesday73/] LinkedIn ⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-wednesday-rumsey-a1b2ab52/]⁠⁠Alice Ludgate⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-ludgate/] Links from the episode: ⁠⁠Revealing: The Surprising Power of Oversharing [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Revealing-Surprising-Oversharing-Leslie-John/dp/1911709291] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 01:32 Reflecting on Season One and Community Building 03:22 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Self-Care 04:32 Personal Updates: Weddings and Life Changes 07:37 The Value of Home and Creating a Sanctuary 09:28 Transitioning to a Busy Summer 09:44 Crafting Personal Narratives 13:10 Crafting a Career with Intention 14:26 The Importance of Prioritisation 16:16 Communicating Priorities Effectively 17:53 The Role of Mentorship and Coaching 20:56 Understanding the Differences: Mentoring vs Coaching 24:17 Creating a Supportive Community 29:27 Building Your Personal Board of Directors 30:02 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead

From Centre Stage to Storytelling: This Was Always the Path, SoT welcomes Maureen Manning

In this episode of Sex on Top, we’re joined by Maureen Manning, Founder and Principal Strategist of The Global Nexus Collective whose journey from aspiring performer to global education strategist is a powerful story of purpose, identity, and impact. What began as a love for storytelling on stage took an unexpected turn during a formative study abroad experience at sixteen reshaping not just Maureen’s path, but her understanding of how stories can influence people, systems, and the world around us. We explore the role of storytelling in leadership, and how building authentic narratives can elevate both individuals and organisations particularly in complex and shifting global contexts. From navigating the realities of the “sandwich generation” to making intentional, sometimes difficult life choices, Maureen shares what it means to lead with clarity, conviction, and care. We also dive into mentorship, community, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and champion you alongside the courage it takes to show up fully as yourself. Thoughtful, honest, and deeply reflective, this episode is a reminder that the path isn’t always linear but when you lead with purpose and authenticity, every chapter has meaning, Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilywednesday73/] LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-wednesday-rumsey-a1b2ab52/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-ludgate/] Follow Maureen LinkedIn Dr Maureen Manning [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmaureenmanning/]⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thepilatesclublondon?igsh=emRkNHJsNDBqY3hz] The Global Nexus Collective [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-global-nexus-collective/posts/?feedView=all] Website ⁠ [thepilatesclublondon.co.uk]The Global Nexus Collective [https://www.theglobalnexuscollective.com/] Leadership networks mentioned by Maureen in this episode -World Council on Global and Intercultural Competence [https://iccglobal.org/]Global Leadership League [https://www.globalleadershipleague.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 02:11 Meet Maureen - A Journey Through Leadership 03:43 The Power of Storytelling in Education 09:20 Creating a Career From a Passion 09:46 Making Choices in Career and Family 17:17 Normalizing Personal Choices 19:32 The Sandwich Generation Experience 23:18 Authenticity in Storytelling 25:01 Creating Supportive Communities 27:41 The Role of Mentorship 31:39 Taking the Leap: Embracing Uncertainty 33:35 The Value of Credentials and Breaking Free 37:59 Understanding Your Value in the Sector 39:17 The Power of Storytelling and Performance 43:02 Navigating Grief and Personal Growth 43:02 Mentorship and Lifting Others Up

When Life Gets Loud and Leadership Heavy, Lily and Alice Reflect

In this episode of Sex on Top, it’s just us reflecting on leadership, identity, and the realities that sit behind the roles we hold. We open up about grief, support systems, and the moments that bring everything into perspective alongside the ongoing juggle of work, family, and the pressure to “hold it all together.” From the idea of “sixteen summers” to the emotional weight of being present, this is a conversation about what really matters and how easily it can get lost. We also explore the limiting beliefs that shape our decisions, from financial security and being the provider, to the fear of failure and what it means to attach your reputation to something new. What happens when you don’t feel like the expert in the room? And is expertise always what leadership actually requires? This episode dives into the tension between confidence and doubt, the value of transferable skills, and why no one person holds all the answers - even at the top. Honest, reflective, and deeply human, this is a conversation about self-compassion, challenging your own narrative, and learning to lead without having it all figured out 🎙️ Check out this article on reframing limiting beliefs [https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/psychology/reframing-self-limiting-beliefs] on the Open University website Don’t forget to follow Sex on Top so you never miss an episode. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sexontoppod/] and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilywednesday73/] LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-wednesday-rumsey-a1b2ab52/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-ludgate/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 02:42 Personal Reflections on Grief and Support 07:56 Balancing Work and Family Life 11:53 Limiting Beliefs and Personal Growth 18:27 Fear of Failure and Importance of Reputation 21:33 Is Expertise a Proxy? 24:24 The Role of Expertise in Career Development 27:03 Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs 31:39 Everybody Brought a Skill

Connection is Currency, SoT welcomes Gayathri Balasubramaniam

In this episode of Sex on Top, we’re joined by Gayathri Bala, founder of a community-led Pilates studio in Kingston upon Thames whose journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes the boldest move is stepping off the traditional path. Leaving behind a career in pharmacy and public health, Gayathri took a leap into entrepreneurship, building a business rooted in purpose, connection, and wellbeing. But behind the scenes, that leap has meant navigating uncertainty, challenging limiting beliefs, and learning in real time what it really takes to grow something from the ground up. We explore what it means to build a values-led business, the reality of multiple career pivots, and how identity, ambition, and self-belief shape the way we lead. From questioning whether you need to be an expert, to facing the fear of failure, this is an honest conversation about figuring it out as you go. At the heart of it all is one core idea: connection is currency. Whether it’s building a community, asking for help, or creating something that genuinely matters, Gayathri’s story is a refreshing take on success that goes far beyond titles or income. Raw, real, and deeply relatable, this episode is for anyone thinking about taking the leap or already in the messy middle of it 🎙️ Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilywednesday73/] LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-wednesday-rumsey-a1b2ab52/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-ludgate/] Follow Gayathri on Insta ThePilatesClubLondon [https://www.instagram.com/thepilatesclublondon?igsh=emRkNHJsNDBqY3hz] Website thepilatesclublondon.co.uk [thepilatesclublondon.co.uk] Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Meet Gayathri - A Journey Through Leadership 04:13 Building Community Through Pilates 08:27 The Importance of Authenticity in Business 12:19 Navigating Fear and Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship 12:24 Navigating Identity and Race 17:34 Navigating Fear and Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship 23:58 Identifying Your Limited Beliefs 26:05 Navigating Competition and Self-Promotion 31:08 Personal Growth Through Business Challenges 34:37 Finding Joy and Legacy in Work 39:05 But Do You Need To Be An Expert? 41:02 The Fear of Failure 42:23 The Power of Community Support 48:24 The Power of Asking for Help 49:14 Advice for Women Entrepreneurs

What it Actually Means to be a Strategic Female Leader with Purpose, Lily and Alice Reflect

In this episode of Sex on Top, we take a step back to reflect on the strategic leadership themes sparked by our recent conversation with Jackie Carter, Emeritus Professor at the University of Manchester. What does it really mean to lead strategically in today’s world? We explore the difference between transformational change and incremental shifts, the importance of building a clear narrative for your strategy, and why thinking beyond your immediate context is critical to effective leadership. We also dive into the role of trust, how to create strategies that genuinely connect with people, and the challenge of balancing ambition with sustainability both for organisations and ourselves. Thoughtful, honest, and practical, this episode is a reflection on what it takes to lead with clarity, intention, and impact in complex environments. Don’t forget to follow Sex on Top so you never miss an episode. Share your questions, stories, or reflections at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SexOnTopPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sexontoppod/] and join us for the conversations women have been waiting far too long to hear. Follow your hosts Lily Wednesday and Alice Ludgate on Insta ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@LilyWednesday73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/lilywednesday73/] LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lily Wednesday ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-wednesday-rumsey-a1b2ab52/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alice Ludgate⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-ludgate/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Women in Leadership 01:29 Reflections on Season One and Community Engagement 03:36 The Featured Women Campaign 05:37 Audience Insights: Engaging Men in the Conversation 07:10 Balancing Work and Personal Life 10:11 Ambition: The Cost of Success 14:45 Understanding Strategic Leadership 20:59 Strategic Thinking Beyond the Echo Chamber 23:46 The Role of Trust in Leadership 26:10 Transformational Change vs. Incremental Adjustments 28:06 Building a Narrative for Strategy 32:27 The Importance of Listening to Your Body 36:04 The Weight of Representation in Leadership 38:46 Creating Safe Spaces in the Workplace 42:40 How to Make People Feel They Matter