Rani Patel - Former Calling Co-Founder & adam&eve/TBWA Partner – on the Spirituality of Creativity, Grief & Leadership

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.

Mamamia Founder Mia Powell on Resilience, Reinvention & Creative Leadership in Advertising as a Woman of Colour.

In this episode of the emPOWER Podcast, Athene Parker is joined by Mia Powell, founder of Mamamia Talent and one of the advertising and production industry’s most exciting emerging leaders, for an uplifting and deeply honest conversation about resilience, reinvention and building a successful creative career on your own terms. Following a theme of rootlessness in her early years that often saw her pushing herself to the edges, Mia reflects on how she transformed her path, forging an extraordinary career across some of the most respected names in advertising, film and production before stepping out to found her own talent company, Mamamia Talent. Now recognised for her creative instinct, strategic leadership and fierce commitment to championing talent and authentic connection, Mia represents directors and creative talent including Business Club, Riff Raff and Love Song while continuing to carve out her own space as a powerful voice within the creative industries as Ciclope's goto MC among other leading events. She is also forging forward with Bid Different - her With warmth, humour and vulnerability, Mia shares candid reflections on identity, ambition, creativity and navigating the advertising world as a woman of colour — exploring how life’s most difficult moments can become catalysts for growth, reinvention and self-belief. Together, Athene and Mia discuss: * Resilience and career reinvention * Leadership in advertising and production * Creativity, identity and representation * Building confidence through adversity * Female leadership and empowerment * Redefining success on your own terms * Balancing ambition with humanity and emotional honesty This is a powerful conversation about creative leadership, empowerment and finding your voice, one that will resonate with anyone navigating change in work, life, identity or purpose. 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] Mia Powell, Mamamia Talent, women in advertising, female founder, creative leadership, advertising industry, production industry, women of colour in advertising, creative careers, resilience, career reinvention, empowerment podcast, female leadership, talent representation, women in media, emotional intelligence, leadership in advertising, creative entrepreneurship, women founders, authentic leadership, film production, advertising production, diversity in creative industries, confidence, identity, storytelling, creative resilience, empowerment, navigating change, entrepreneurship ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Rani Patel - Former Calling Co-Founder & adam&eve/TBWA Partner – on the Spirituality of Creativity, Grief & Leadership

In this episode of the emPOWER Podcast, Athene Parker is joined by Rani Patel, Brand and Business Partner at Creator Lab at adam&eve/TBWA and former co-founder of Calling, for a profoundly moving conversation about grief, spirituality, creativity and leadership in the advertising industry. A deeply respected voice within the creative industries, Rani shares her reflections on purpose, intuition and the power of creativity as a spiritual act.. exploring the belief that advertising, at its best, is the art of manifesting ideas, emotion and imagination into reality. Together, Athene and Rani discuss the unseen forces that shape our lives and careers, touching on intuition, dreams, identity and the emotional depth that often exists beneath creative leadership. At the heart of the conversation is Rani’s experience of grief following the recent loss of her stepfather, and how loss can profoundly reshape both our inner worlds and our relationship to creativity, meaning and connection. With warmth, wisdom and vulnerability, Rani reflects on leadership, self-discovery and finding authenticity within both life and work, offering a powerful perspective on what it means to navigate the creative industries with emotional intelligence, humanity and purpose. Together, Athene and Rani explore: * Spirituality and creativity in advertising * Leadership and authenticity in the creative industries * Grief, loss and emotional resilience * Intuition, identity and self-discovery * Creativity as manifestation and storytelling * Women in advertising and creative leadership * Finding meaning and purpose through work and life experiences This is a deeply thoughtful conversation about creativity, spirituality and human connection and one that will resonate with anyone navigating grief, transformation, leadership or personal growth. 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] Rani Patel, adam&eve/TBWA, Creator Lab, women in advertising, creative leadership, spirituality and creativity, grief and loss, emotional resilience, authenticity, leadership podcast, empowerment podcast, intuition, self-discovery, creativity in advertising, women in media, storytelling, creative industries, manifestation, purpose, emotional intelligence, spiritual leadership, female leadership, personal growth, identity, authentic leadership ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Actor and SA Survivor Perry Power on Breaking Silence, Storytelling & Healing Through Emotional Honesty

Trigger Warning - This episodes discusses theme’s of Sexual Abuse  In this episode of the emPOWER Podcast, Athene Parker is joined by actor, entrepreneur and author Perry Power for a deeply courageous and emotionally intelligent conversation about sexual abuse, masculinity, healing and the transformative power of storytelling. Perry speaks openly about his experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the journey that led him to found the Be Powerful Movement a platform supporting survivors in reclaiming their voices through writing, film, creativity and community. Together, Athene and Perry explore the impact of silence on identity, mental health and emotional wellbeing, discussing why men’s stories around abuse are still so often left unheard and unsupported. They reflect on vulnerability, emotional honesty and the importance of creating safer, more compassionate spaces, both in life and within the workplace, where truth can be spoken without shame. With warmth, sensitivity and insight, Perry shares how storytelling became a pathway toward healing, purpose and connection, and why creativity can play such a powerful role in recovery and self-understanding. Together, Athene and Perry discuss: * Childhood sexual abuse and breaking generational silence * Masculinity, vulnerability and emotional resilience * Healing through storytelling and creativity * Mental health and emotional wellbeing * Authentic leadership and human connection * The role of empathy and emotionally intelligent conversations * Building safer spaces for truth, healing and recovery 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] Perry Power, Be Powerful Movement, childhood sexual abuse survivor, healing through storytelling, masculinity and vulnerability, men’s mental health, emotional resilience, storytelling and recovery, authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, trauma recovery, creativity and healing, empowerment podcast, mental health conversations, breaking generational silence, survivor stories, emotional wellbeing, vulnerability in men, healing journey, personal growth, empathy, authentic connection ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

BBC Presenter Jennifer Bartram on Building Resilience, Confidence & Navigating Online Abuse in Broadcasting and the Digital World

In this episode of the emPOWER Podcast, Athene Parker is joined by broadcast journalist Jennifer Bartram for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about resilience, confidence, grief and navigating online abuse while working in the public eye. With more than twenty years on screen at the BBC, Jen reflects on a broadcasting career shaped by storytelling, communication and public connection. She also speaks candidly about the emotional impact of losing her father at a young age, growing up onscreen, and the personal toll of being targeted online. Together, Athene and Jen explore the knock to confidence that can follow public criticism and online abuse, the emotional resilience required to rebuild a sense of safety and self, and the intentional work involved in reconnecting with confidence after adversity. With warmth, intelligence and vulnerability, Jen shares her perspective on communication, visibility and emotional wellbeing in an always-on digital world alongside practical strategies for reducing overwhelm, grounding in real-life connection and protecting mental health while navigating social media and public-facing careers. Together, Athene and Jen discuss: * Resilience and rebuilding confidence * Online abuse and social media pressure * Mental health and emotional wellbeing * Growing up in the public eye * Communication and storytelling * Navigating grief and personal loss * Confidence, visibility and self-worth * Digital overwhelm and authentic connection This is a thoughtful and empowering conversation about resilience, communication and finding your footing again after difficult experiences, both personally and professionally. 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. Jennifer Bartram, BBC journalist, broadcast journalist, online abuse, resilience, confidence, emotional wellbeing, women in media, mental health, grief and loss, communication skills, storytelling, public speaking, rebuilding confidence, social media pressure, emotional resilience, empowerment podcast, authentic leadership, digital wellbeing, navigating adversity, women in broadcasting ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.