I Shouldn't Say This, But...

I Shouldn’t Say This, But … this podcast has taught me more than I could have ever imagined. And this episode is going to be my last. At least for a while. When I started the podcast 4 years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the journey it would take me on, the conversations it would generate or the relationships it would help me foster. Steven Bartlett had tasked me with creating a brand for myself, and I was determined to give it purpose beyond simply being a KPI. As I sat down to record this episode, I knew that goal had been achieved. So I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. And I hope it gives you an insight into why I do this, and I what I want to do next. As always, thank you for listening.

Natalie Wills is the Global Director of Marketing at Zalando and a fellow advocate for the power of social media for good. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of authenticity online - Why we are all influencers - What we can learn from the way young people use social media - The importance of leading with your values - Zalando’s approach of casting diversity of influencer talent and talent whose values resonate with their own - The way social media is driving transparency in the real world Natalie: https://www.instagram.com/nattiw1/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliealisonwills/ Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Matt and Giles founded Sculpd alongside their business partner Guy Vero at the peak of Lockdown, and have since sold over 100,000 at-home pottery kits. Beyond that, they’ve built partnerships with some of the most influential brands in the UK, including Bloom & Wild, Missoma and Papier. In this episode, we discuss: - The challenges that come with building a business in Lockdown - The role of social media in the formation of the Sculpd community - The importance of finding joy in your work Matt and Giles: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mattclements1 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilesharrison2/?originalSubdomain=uk https://sculpd.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/sculpdit/?hl=en Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Daisy is the person behind The Selfhood - who makes digital interactions feel more human and puts connectivity at the heart of content strategies for brands and their audiences. She birthed The Selfhood after noticing a huge gap in the market for business owners and creatives to understand social media and digital marketing in a fun, human and relatable way after spending years in the jargon filled world of ad agencies. In this episode we discuss: -The role of social media in creating change. -The balancing act of finding a space to rest as a content creator. -The importance of building community as people are desperate to feel part of something. Daisy: https://www.instagram.com/the_self_hood/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisy-morris-52742393/ https://www.theselfhood.com/about-the-founder Me: https://www.instagram.com/katyleeson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53/ https://twitter.com/KatyLeeson

James Routledge co-founded Sanctus - a purpose-driven organisation that supports employee mental health through proactive and preventative one-to-one coaching in the workplace. He is also the author behind ‘Mental Health at Work’ - a book filled with stories, learnings and guidance for anyone on their mental health in the workplace journey. In this episode, we discuss: * The culture of permission arising around mental health * Social media as a force for good in the mental health fight * Why rest doesn’t only mean sleep James: https://www.instagram.com/jamesroutledge_/ https://www.instagram.com/jdroutledge/ https://twitter.com/jd_routledge Sanctus: https://www.instagram.com/sanctus/ Me: https://www.instagram.com/katyleeson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53/ https://twitter.com/KatyLeeson

Chloe Brotheridge is an Anxiety Hypnotherapist, Coach, Podcast Host and Author who is dedicated to helping women free themselves from anxiety. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of distinguishing your dream from the one’s being pushed by other people - Tips for a more purposeful and positive social media experience - How we can combat our inner critics Chloe: https://www.instagram.com/chloebrotheridge/?hl=en https://twitter.com/CBrotheridge?s=20 https://calmer-you.com/free https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chloe-Brotheridge/e/B01MZEC2LL%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Gina is an activist, author and artist who uses her platforms to encourage real-world change. In this episode, we discuss: - The uncomfortable reality of activism - The intersection of social media and activism - The importance of setting work/life boundaries - The changes social media companies need to start making - Young people’s relationship with social media Gina: https://www.instagram.com/ginamartin/?hl=en https://twitter.com/ginamartinuk?s=20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K_n-x-W7pY https://www.waterstones.com/book/be-the-change/gina-martin/9780751577891 Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Jay Flynn founded the Virtual Pub Quiz back at the start of the pandemic, and is living proof of the power of social media to be used for good. In this episode, we discuss: - Jay’s incredible journey from pub landlord to household name (and the social media mistake that started it all) - The challenges that have arisen as a result of digital stardom - The impact of the Virtual Pub Quiz on Jay’s life - The positive potential of social media Jay: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcSqjJWHJeDWD_SbdorBRw https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jays-Virtual-Pub-Quiz-Book/dp/1913406407 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jays-Virtual-Pub-Quiz-2/dp/1913406776/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1913406776&psc=1 https://www.instagram.com/thevirtualpubquiz/?hl=en Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Anna Codrea-Rado is a journalist, author and podcaster whose article ‘Do I have Productivity Dysmorphia?’ has changed they way both I and so many others view our achievements. In this episode, we discuss: * The impact social media is having on our view of success * The importance of finding joy in our free time * The productivity dysmorphia trap And so, so much more. Anna: https://www.instagram.com/annacod/?hl=en https://twitter.com/annacod?s=20 https://www.linkedin.com/in/annacodrearado/?originalSubdomain=uk https://www.annacodrearado.com/podcast https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2021/09/10640493/what-is-productivity-dysmorphia https://linktr.ee/yourethebusiness Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Ash is the Founder of personal branding agency Great Influence, and part of Social Chain’s founding team. The man behind the personal brands of the likes of Steven Bartlett and Julian Hearn, his experience and knowledge of social media as a tool for good is second to none. In this episode, we discuss: - The value in personal branding - The social media shift we’ve seen over the past decade - The life shift that comes with taking on a leadership role Ash: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ash-jones-85363975/ https://greatinfluence.co.uk Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Lucy Sheridan is the world’s first and only comparison coach, using her work and the online community she has built to to empower others into live comparison free lives. In this episode, we discuss: - The role social media plays in fuelling comparison culture - The importance of getting to know your values - Defining your own success - Why leaders need to be conscious of the energy they bring - How social media can be used to overcome comparison culture Lucy: https://www.instagram.com/lucysheridan/?hl=en http://www.proofcoaching.com/about-lucy https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comparison-Cure-Lucy-Sheridan/dp/1409191214 Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Seyi Akiwowo is an absolute powerhouse. Through her charity Glitch, she is working hard to create a kinder, safer, more robust digital sphere. In turn, Seyi is empowering people to advocate for others whilst raising a generation of digital citizens who will carry these lessons into the future. In this episode, we discuss: - The online space as a continuation of our offline realities - The duty of care platforms owe to their users - The inadequacy of the Online Safety Bill - The concept of digital citizenship - The importance of digital self-care - Why we’re all recovering dickheads Seyi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seyiakiwowo/ https://www.instagram.com/seyiakiwowo/?hl=en https://twitter.com/seyiakiwowo?s=20 https://seyiakiwowo.com https://glitchcharity.co.uk/about/ Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

There’s no social media presence more authentic than Gary Neville’s. In this episode, we discuss: - The importance of Footballers having an authentic social media presence - THAT Manchester United interview - His hopes for the digital world his daughters are growing up in - Where the curriculum is failing young people - Why the Glazer family are a threat to the soul of Football I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Gary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-neville-036502211/ https://twitter.com/GNev2?s=20 https://www.instagram.com/gneville2/ Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Alex Holmes has dedicated his career to making both schools and the digital sphere a safe space for young people. Deputy CEO at the Diana Award and advisor to the likes of TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Alex’s knowledge of social media and the issues facing young people today is second to none. In this episode, we discuss: - The power and legacy of young people today - What social media companies are doing to fight the rise in online abuse - and what they aren’t - Whether the issue of online abuse is a digital problem or the continuation of a real-world problem - Why it’s time to cancel, cancel culture Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abcholmes/ https://twitter.com/abcholmes?s=20 https://instagram.com/abcholmes?utm_medium=copy_link Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

Tiwalola Ogunlesi is using her platform to fight the generation cycle of low self-esteem, making sure that this generation of women and girls grow to be the most confident yet. In this episode, we discuss: - How to harness the power of you - Tips for improving your self-confidence, combatting imposter syndrome and getting to grips with your self-worth - How social media can be used to create communities of empowerment - Tiwa’s business - Confident and Killing It Tiwa: https://instagram.com/tiwalowla?utm_medium=copy_link https://instagram.com/confidentandkillingit?utm_medium=copy_link http://confidentandkillingit.com/ig-cki https://open.spotify.com/show/20Brb9BbmjLAv7L3SpS4Hc?si=ATdhMh2oRaOHrqeZKpc_WQ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/confident-and-killing-it-podcast/id1509409221 Me: https://instagram.com/katyleeson?utm_medium=copy_link https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-leeson-39931a53 https://twitter.com/katyleeson?s=21

I Shouldn’t Say This, But … Season 5 is coming VERY soon. With each episode featuring a brand new guest, it’s set to be our biggest and best yet! I can’t wait to share the first one.

In this week’s episode, I talk to the wonderful Elizabeth Ogabi about the realities of creating your own side hustle, the significance of long-term vision in setting work/life boundaries and her fantastic new book ‘Side Hustle in Progress: A Practical Guide to Kickstarting Your Business.’ It was really interesting to get the other side of the debate when it comes to role side hustles play in the glamourisation of overwork and it was great to hear Elizabeth's perspective!

In this week’s episode, I dive into the realities of leadership. I talk about the difficulties that come with leading a team through a pandemic, the silent struggle of perfection and the pressure I personally feel to deliver for my team. There is a false sense of expertise surrounding leadership roles and it is a huge contributing factor to the problems we face when we enter into them. It’s time we talked openly about this.

In this week’s episode, I speak to the brilliant Rachel Carrell, founder of Koru Kids. We have a really candid conversation about the realities of living with chronic pain and the desire people have to hide their struggles. We also dive into Rachel’s fantastic business, looking at childcare as a people issue, not just a women’s issue, in addition to the importance of setting boundaries when working on something you’re passionate about.

In this week’s episode, I dive into the positive side of social platforms. There are some obvious issues that need to be addressed across them all. Namely issues of trolling and abuse, which need to be dealt with quickly and with severity. But I’m not sure that it’s productive to let these issues dominate the conversation. I explore the idea that to want to make social media a more positive place, we need to highlight all the good that it facilitates, as well diving into the ways in which we can teach young people to use it well.