Episodes
-
Episode Title: Heart, Healing and The Longest Day
Shownotes: In this deeply moving episode of The Longest Day Podcast, Leah Brown FRSA sits down with the brilliant composer, musician, and producer Nitin Sawhney CBE to discuss his life-altering experience of surviving a heart attack and how it inspired his latest orchestral composition, Heart Suite. From the trauma of the event to the catharsis of creating music, Nitin opens up about how this experience reshaped his understanding of life, fear, and creativity.
In this conversation, Nitin shares personal insights into his recovery, his reflections on the legacy of his longest day, and how he is using his art and advocacy work to inspire and help others facing similar challenges. We also explore his journey with anxiety and phobias, his renewed optimism, and the surprising lessons he's learned about what truly matters.
Join us for this powerful, candid conversation about resilience, the creative process, and the importance of community support in overcoming lifes toughest moments.
-
In this powerful and intimate episode of The Longest Day, Leah Brown sits down with Samanah Duran, an entrepreneur and founder of BeYourOwn, and most recently LinkSpaxe (connecting companies with the best professional freelancers and contractors who can drive their success forward).
Samanah opens up about a pivotal moment in her lifea day that changed everything. She reflects on the physical and emotional toll of stress, the lessons learned from a life-threatening health scare, and how that experience has shaped her current work, vision, and relationships. This candid conversation highlights the importance of self-care, the limits of ambition, and the transformative power of trusting the right people. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and real talk about balancing life, health, and business.
Key Takeaways:
Taking on too much can lead to burnout and health issues.Trusting others and delegating tasks can help alleviate stress and create a more balanced life.Taking time for reflection and self-care is essential for personal and professional growth.Listening to your instincts and prioritizing your well-being is crucial for long-term success.Launching new projects and pursuing goals requires a clear understanding of your motivations and priorities.
Connect with Samanah on Instagram @samanahduran and @beyourown. Linkspaxe and BeYourOwn are on LinkedIn.
Follow The Longest Day Podcast on Instagram @thelongestdaypodcast, X @longestdaypod, TikTok @thelongestdaypodcast and on LinkedIn.
-
Missing episodes?
-
In this deeply insightful episode of The Longest Day Podcast, Leah Brown FRSA is joined by Rocio Perez, a transformational coach, speaker, and creator of the MindShift Experience. Rocio shares her powerful story of awakening to a more fulfilled life after an unexpected diagnosis of a brain tumour at the age of 34. From struggles with unfulfilment to navigating a life-changing health crisis, Rocio reflects on the tools and wisdom she gained through adversity and how it has shaped her mission to help others create their own versions of a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Rocios journey emphasises the importance of curiosity, self-reflection, and the healing power of facing our pain head-on. She discusses the role of personal growth, emotional healing, and the profound insights that come from deep life challenges. In this episode, she shares not only her own story but offers actionable advice for anyone facing their own longest day and seeking transformation.
Connect with Rocio Perez:
Website: www.themindshiftgame.com
YouTube: MindShift TV Show
-
In this conversation, Leah Brown FRSA speaks with Scarlett V Clark about her personal journey, cultural challenges, and the drive that led her to create Smart Girl Tribe. Scarlett shares her experiences of moving from Italy to England, the social difficulties she faced, and how her mother's support helped her navigate through tough times. They discuss the importance of embracing diversity, the evolution of Smart Girl Tribe and female leadership in media, and the resilience required to be a trailblazer. Scarlett offers advice for young people facing challenges, emphasising the importance of speaking up and being mindful of the media they consume.
------------------------------------------Scarlett V Clark is inspiring a whole generation of young women to step into their power. A leading female empowerment expert, she is the CEO of Smart Girl Tribe, which as been lauded as the UKs topmost female empowerment organisation. Scarletts fervour to make sure that girls everywhere feel confident to achieve their goals makes her one of the best female empowerment speakers.Author of Smart Girls Handbook: How to Silence Self-Doubt, Find Your Purpose and Redefine the Impossible, Scarlett shares her personal experience as she found success and offers practical advice and tips for her readers to implement in their own lives. She is keen on helping women all over the world take control of their lives and design a life they truly love. Smart Girls Handbook was also regarded as WHSmith's book of the month and UN Women's book of the month.Host of the Smart Girl Tribe podcast, she offers her honest and raw advice on a myriad of topics to help women everywhere build a global empire or simply listen to some sisterly guidance. Scarlett is a female empowerment expert for Harvard University, an Ambassador for NSPCC and a UK delegate for the United Nations. She is also often featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Stylist, the Metro and the Daily Mail.Having worked with HeforShe in the presence of other female empowerment advocates like Emma Watson, Scarlett has also worked with the British Council, UN Women, the Houses of Parliament and as an Ambassador of Women for Women. Often called upon by Channel 4 to comment on womens issues, Scarlett V Clark is a seasoned speaker available to speak at a wide range of events on matters related to female empowerment. For more information contact [email protected]. She can be found on Instagram @scarlettvclark and @smartgirltribe. -
In this episode of The Longest Day podcast, host Leah Brown FRSA sits down with Alys Carlton, former mergers and acquisitions lawyer, executive coach, Non-Executive Director, and Chair of the Football Association of Wales to talk about a season marked out by grief and gratitude. Alys shares the extraordinary journey behind her "longest day" a 24-hour period that spanned a deeply personal loss and a pivotal career milestone. In this candid conversation, Alys opens up about navigating grief, professional ambition, and finding strength through challenging circumstances.
Key takeaways include
the importance of resilience and compartmentalisation when navigating both personal and professional challenges.
how a portfolio career allows for greater flexibility and personal fulfillment, but requires perseverance and the willingness to keep pushing forward.
the significance of family, mentorship, and legacy in shaping one's career and personal journey.
strategies for maintaining focus and self-care during times of grief and high stress.
the power of diverse leadership and governance in organisations, and how Alys plans to make a lasting impact in her role at the FAW.
-
In this episode of The Longest Day, host Leah Brown FRSA speaks with Lord Ed Vaizey, former MP for Wantage and Culture Minister, about his unique career path, his relationship with authority, and his views on mentorship and leadership. Ed shares entertaining stories from his past, including the challenges of being fired multiple times and how these experiences shaped his perspective on work and autonomy. Ed reflects on personal experiences, including the impact of his fathers death at a young age and privilege, and how both shaped his perspectives. Tune in to hear Ed Vaizeys candid reflections on his career, his approach to politics, and the lessons hes learned along the way.
-
In this episode, Leah Brown FRSA welcomes Sarah Lewis OBE OLY, a British Olympian, to share her incredible leadership journey through a career filled with huge highs and real lows. As one of the podcast's most dedicated listeners, Sarah reflects on her longest day experiences, from navigating complex international sporting events to her unexpected dismissal. She recounts significant moments, including a challenging visa issue during her first major competition, a fatal accident at an event, and high-stakes doping scandals.
This candid conversation reveals how her background as a competitive athlete helped her manage challenging situations. Sarah reflects on what it looked like to rebuild her reputation, delving into resilience, personal growth, and the lessons learned from both success and failure.
Looking ahead, she shares her aspirations post-Paris 2024, focusing on mentoring athletes and contributing to sports governance.
-
In this episode of "The Longest Day," host Leah Brown FRSA speaks with Jeanne Collins, founder of the House of JerMar, about her transformative journey from a corporate vice president in sales to becoming an entrepreneur in the world of interior design. Jeanne shares her story of being unexpectedly fired and how that pivotal moment led her to find the courage to reinvent herself and embrace her passions. She has built a lifestyle brand focused on wellness and personal growth and written an incredible memoir called Two Feet In: Lessons from an All-In Life. Join us as Jeanne Collins inspires us to embrace change and take control of our narratives. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and reveals the power of a strong why.
-
In this enlightening episode, kicking off Season Five, Leah Brown FRSA interviews Alison Cork MBE, who shares her transformative journey through her "longest day". Alison discusses the pivotal moment when she decided to take control of her health and how this decision reshaped her life. The conversation delves into the inner critic that many women face, the importance of self-acceptance, and how these experiences influenced her professional life and entrepreneurial endeavours.
-
Ray Mia recounts his longest day in 1979, living above his fathers junk store in Liverpool in a household that didnt celebrate Christmas.
He outlines his experiences of growing up as an individual of color in a predominantly white society, highlighting the challenges of navigating cultural identity and belonging. Ray shares his experiences of feeling excluded and confused due to his cultural and religious differences growing up in Seaforth, Liverpool, winning an assisted place at a fee-paying school, his experience at Oxford University, and beyond. He discusses his experiences with identity and belonging, the importance of family, and how his upbringing has shaped his decision-making processes.
Through the conversation, Ray reflects on his career as a media executive, explores the complexities of creative decision-making and the role of disappointment in personal and professionalgrowth. -
Laurie Barkman shares her experience of the longest day when her company was acquired by a global entity. She highlights the emotional and financial significance of the event and the loyalty of the employees. Laurie discusses the challenges and uncertainties that arise during the acquisition process, including the importance of due diligence and resolving any issues that arise. She also talks about her role as CEO and the impact of the acquisition on her succession plan. Laurie shares her journey from being a CEO to becoming a business transition sherpa, helping entrepreneurs plan and navigate successful exits.Laurie's links:
Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpaGet Ready For Your Exit Before Youre Ready To Exit! If you want your business to be ready to sell at maximum value, now is the best time to start planning. Join the Endgame Entrepreneurship Masterclass at https://endgame.thinkific.com/courses/endgame-entrepreneurship. Get a 10% discount at checkout with code: longestday10
-
Rick Torrison shares his longest day story, which involves his son's struggles with anger, identity, and self-worth. Rick discusses the importance of addressing limiting beliefs and how they shape our behaviors and outcomes. He emphasizes the need to change beliefs, not just behaviors, in order to create sustainable change. Rick also talks about the transformative power of unconditional love and how it has impacted his relationship with his son. Throughout the conversation, Rick highlights the role of faith and spirituality in his journey.
-
In this episode of "The Longest Day," Rosie Wilby recounts her most challenging day, which also marked a pivotal moment in her life and career. On January 3, 2011, Rosie was abruptly dumped by her partner of five years via email. The shock and pain initially left her devastated and unable to process the breakup for years. Over time, however, this experience became the catalyst for a new creative direction.
Rosie eventually used this painful experience as the foundation for a trilogy of comedy shows focused on the psychology of love. This journey led her to create the podcast "The Breakup Monologues," write two books on relationships, and speak at various festivals about human connections and breakups. In the immediate aftermath, Rosie experienced a whirlwind of emotions and sought the support of friends. Remarkably, she performed a gig that evening, using her raw emotions to create a memorable and genuine comedy performance.
Rosie explores themes of communication, human connection, and the complex nature of grief in breakups. She reflects on how humour can serve as a defence mechanism and a way to process pain. She also discusses the societal implications of comedy, particularly for someone who doesn't fit the "default" comedian mold, and the challenge of balancing humour with self-compassion.
Using personal experiences in her art, Rosie acknowledges both the healing aspects and the potential for self-harm in revisiting painful memories. Despite the difficulties, she views breakups as opportunities for personal growth and transformation, allowing individuals to reinvent themselves and open up to new possibilities. Rosie's story is a testament to resilience and the power of creativity in overcoming personal challenges, finding joy and strength in unexpected places.
You can download Rosie's book, The Breakup Monologues: The Unexpected Joy of Heartbreak on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1472982282/ -
Ashley Cox, Executive Director of Business Affairs and General Counsel, formerly interim CEO of Aquatics GB, shares the story of his longest day, which was filled with challenges and personal loss. Despite facing a series of unfortunate circumstances, Ashley remained calm and focused on his role as a leader. He credits his ability to handle pressure to his background in sports and his experience as a lawyer. Ashley emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment within an organization and the role of mentorship in personal and professional development. He also discusses the need to process grief and the value of having people around who can provide honest feedback.
-
On this weeks episode, Leah talks to Emma Ballard, the Editor of Women and Golf the only womens specific golf platform in the UK. Emmas Longest Day happened during a golf leadership development programme at St Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf. The golf industry is notoriously male dominated, so it was a big deal during the leadership programme to become vulnerable and open up about the issues she had with her career and the passionate things she wanted to achieve within the industry. It turned out to be the opportunity that made her look inside of herself and come away with a conviction to make a change within the industry. Through her Longest Day, Emma understood her own value and acknowledged that she knew what she was talking about on the issues around women and girls golf. She began to see her potential to have an impact and make a change in the industry. Emma is now in her fourth year at Women and Golf, shaping the narrative around women and girls golf across the UK. That time also widened her vista, extending her networks, and giving her the opportunity for coaching and mentoring. Emma would like womens golf to be better recognised as a whole as the womens game isnt valued as much as the mens. She just wants more women playing golf.
-
In this episode, Leah talks to Suzanne Knight MBA. Suzannes longest day was when a member of her team died suddenly, and she and her team grieved together. It was a time when they became more open to each other about what they were feeling; they connected in a way they had never done before. The sharing of mutual grief was an experience that could not be replicated. To this day, they are the closest colleagues and friends. It was the most difficult emotional journey she has gone through even at a time when there were ordinary life matters to deal with. She felt this especially in the smallest, most human things like packing up her colleagues desk and her personal items, then seeing her handwritten notes, a half-eaten box of chocolates.
Suzanne had always worked in spaces where problems and issues were not personal and so they didnt get to her. But her longest day had the weight of finality, one you couldnt return to. Suzanne learnt about perspective and about what matters, especially the role of family and friends. She has become more focused on checking on with people in her life, including herself by being explicit with the questions, like are you ok?, and what can I do to help?. Shes more intentional about making honest requests to be useful to others. For her work is work. It isnt life. Her number one activities are her priorities, her values, her integrity, and the way she engages with others. -
Leah Brown host of The Longest Day Podcast interviews Leah Wilkinson, British Olympic hockey player, on not being selected to be on the 2012 GB Olympic team.
They discuss their formative years at Repton and what it looks like to navigate an uncharted path. In addition to supportive parents and colleagues, in her longest days Leah has herself to rely on. Her skills of how to bounce back, having resilience and grit, and being able to self-talk with positive reflections has meant she has kept going forwards to succeed.
Leah first fell in love with hockey when she was five. It is the love of the game that has enabled her to focus on why shes there, to be the best athlete, and to give her best performance. At 37 years old, she says fundamentally, Im still that five-year-old kid that picked up that hockey stick[with a] buzz when I get to the pitch. For her, its that passion that makes a person, forgive the pun, stick with the sport.
As Leah speaks to children and shows them her medals, she wants her legacy as a decorated Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete to be to inspire the next generation to pick up a hockey stick. In her talks, she shares what she has learned so they can be inspired to do anything and follow their dreams! -
On this weeks episode, have a listen to the conversation between Leah and David McQueen on his longest day and how he learnt how even if there are things beyond his control, he can manage the ones that are within it. It was a day when he and his wife, as ethnic minorities, experienced a lack of care in the maternity hospital. Calmly, he told the doctors of the need of his wife who was suffering immensely from the pain to have a C-section. Once the professionals decided to give Davids wife a C-section and the baby was born, he realised the power of life and the importance of cherishing it. He understood that life sometimes throws you curved balls but its how we respond that makes us who we are.
Through that day, David wants to be present around the wellbeing of his children. It gave him opportunities for conversations with other fathers on the question of how they could challenge the notions around being black fathers.
His experience of nurturing his daughters made him see, as a leadership coach, that his clients are individuals with emotions and a lot on their minds. He finds out about how they present based on their answers to how they are with their friends and family.
From his parenting and coaching, David has learnt to have a sense of distance, to have the courage to ask questions that challenge, and to help them navigate their way through difficulties. Ultimately, he comes from a place of love, nurture, and care. -
On this weeks episode, Leah talks to Dr Lynn Robson, Dean of Regents Park College, Safeguarding Lead, Director of the Visiting Student Programme and Tutorial Fellow in English Literature. Lynns longest day encompassed the COVID pandemic, from its announcement to its conclusion by the end of which she was exhausted and unable to carry on. All her roles during that time were relentless as there was no time off from bearing responsibilities. Although Lynn learned that she had more strength than she thought she had, she realised that there were limits to her strength and that she needed to recognise her own vulnerability. Her salvation came when she was able to say to somebody else, Im finding this hard, and I dont know what to do. Saying this is not a form of weakness but is vital for a leader to take the lead in expressing. As Lynn adds, if we discuss it and we support one another, its likely that we will find a solution. It's been a life-long lesson to value herself and see what others value in her. So, it comes as no surprise that Lynn wants her students as future leaders to learn how to value themselves, see who they are with all their talents and importance without waiting for somebody else to tell them their worth.
-
Welcome to our fourth Seasons first episode!
Listen to Leahs conversation with Caroline Sabourin who enjoys a 30-year career in organising Motorsports events globally while running a Sports Car Championship of 60 international teams. Carolines longest day was in 2000 when during the Australian Grand Prix, at the final race, one of the cars went sideways and was thrown in the air by another car, causing significant damage to other cars that had to crash into the wall. At Race Control, she and Tim Bamford, the Australian Grand Prix Chief Executive, took the hardest decision of her career which was to cancel the race. Against this in the background was that she and her colleagues had to underwrite the cost of the loss of TV rights if anything went wrong with the race. It was a huge undertaking but because it was so special they went ahead with it. Motorsport is life for Caroline. She counts it as a blessing to have been raised in the sport even if it is one where something goes wrong, generally it goes stupendously wrong. But she was brought up to remain calm in the middle of a problem and deal with it. Shes a believer that anything is achievable and its corollary that the only limitation is the belief in yourself. On all the billboards in the race, the saying advertised was Make every second count a saying she lives by. - Show more
