The NABS Podcast

Ally Owen is the rapid-fire and inspirational founder of Brixton Finishing School, the free course that develops underrepresented talent for adland. Ally shares her experiences of being an ADHD, working-class, single mum in adland to help elevate others and create a more inclusive industry, with our host Louise Scodie. Ally is fun, intuitive and self-aware, describing her optimum schedule as 'that of a three-year-old toddler'. And with a host of industry accolades to her name, and hundreds of Brixton Finishing School graduates now building careers in the industry, it's clearly working well. Key takeaways: NABS Inclusive Leader training: The Inclusive Leader - NABS NABS Explore: Working with ADHD: Explore: Working with ADHD - Strengths, Strategies & Support - NABS NABS Everyday Inclusion: understanding and building a neurodiverse workplace Everyday Inclusion: understanding and building a neurodiverse workplace with Iain Preston - NABS Ally Owen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-owen-2920871b?originalSubdomain=uk Brixton Finishing School: Free Online and In-person Courses | Brixton Finishing School MEFA: Ethnic Minority Representation in the Media Industry | Media For All ADHD UK: ADHD UK - Homepage - ADHD UK Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Iain Preston is a neurodiverse creative industry leader and DEI advocate. Full of energy and wisdom, Ian shares his lived experience of ADHD with our host Louise Scodie, openly discussing the challenges as well as the benefits it brings to his brain. He also shares his thoughts on how ADHDers benefit adland and how team members and leaders can best support those who live with ADHD. Iain also loves his dog Rocky, who helpfully stayed quiet for us during this record. Key takeaways: Resources: Free NABS Talk with Iain: https://nabs.org.uk/event/everyday-inclusion-understanding-and-building-a-neurodiverse-workplace-with-iain-preston Free NABS ADHD workshop: https://nabs.org.uk/event/explore-working-with-adhd-strengths-strategies-support NABS Advice Line: https://nabs.org.uk/how-we-can-help/advice-line ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Aimee Luther is managing director of the Liberty Guild. The Liberty Guild is an invitation-only curated association of the finest communication practitioners in the world. The business aims to give creatives and strategists a better work-life balance and more ownership over their careers. Aimee is a huge believer in kindness as a leadership style, and she makes sure this is a top-lived value throughout her professional and voluntary work. Aimee's also a hugely busy working mum and speaks refreshingly about the demands of the juggle. This is a great, down-to-earth chat - Aimee is a super mix of kind, clear and no-nonsense. Key takeaways: Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

tw: suicide Chloe Davies is a creative global inclusion and belonging consultant and founder of It Takes a Village, a network for Black women in advertising, marketing and media. Chloe is a proud Black bisexual woman as well as being a mother of two and an outstandingly prolific campaigner and activist. Chloe volunteers for UK Black Pride, the London Queer Fashion Show and was recently named one of Campaign magazine's 40 over 40. Chloe fits an impressive amount of commitments into her schedule, yet still found time to engage in this fascinating conversation. Key takeways: Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

tw: domestic violence Reeha Alder is the founder of Mighty You, an executive coaching and training consultancy focusing on helping individuals, teams and organisations to create spaces that help them to be their best authentic selves. Reeha takes a holistic approach to creating authentic environments using a combination of breath work, DEI and wellbeing training and skills training for managers and leaders. As well as being an advocate for authenticity, Reeha is a trauma survivor whose story has helped to inform her approach to her own life and how she helps others. Reeha is a brilliant speaker who shares her truth honestly and openly. Hear more from Reeha in our upcoming NABS Talk on 19 March on finding your authentic self. Register for free on the NABS website. Key takeaways: If you need help with any of the issues raised in this episode, try the following resources: NABS Advice Line Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline Victim Support Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Melissa Robertson is CEO of creative agency Dark Horses. She is also one of adland's most visible menopause ambassadors. Melissa created a brilliant open-source menopause policy at Dark Horses that's become essential use for many in the industry. She also has a great sense of humour so this is a fun as well as enlightening chat. Key takeaways: Find Melissa on LinkedIn Download Dark Horses open source menopause policy Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Amy Kean is a creative sociologist, advertising strategist, poet and best selling author. Her book, The Little Girl who Gave Zero F***s, is a clarion call to females everywhere who are too used to caring about what other people think of them. As Amy explains in this podcast, it's time to stop that right now in the name of your self-esteem. Amy is frank, down-to-earth and fond of a swear word or six. She is also one of our industry's biggest names when it comes to speaking out for better diversity and fairer working practices. Key takeaways: Amy runs Good Shout, a professional training company that helps people to find their voice. Find out more at goodshoutcommunity.com Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Cat Wiles is an award-winning strategist who is as passionate about mental wellness as she is about creating great work. She has championed the right to disconnect, volunteered as an industry mentor, and set up mental health first aid programmes. As well as being Lucky General's first-ever Chief Strategy Officer she's currently also training to be a hypnotherapist to help people uncover their potential and overcome their self-limiting beliefs. In this uplifting interview, Cat shares with how her personal mental wellness 'tumbles' led her to therapy, and how she applies the insights this gave her to her life like a true Strategist. Cat likens her journey to Kintsugi -the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with golden seams- and says today she is stronger in some ways, weaker in others. We're definitely richer for hearing her story. Listen now to hear how: After you fake it to make it, the next step is to become itHow to quiet your inner criticHow to support yourself by asking strategic questionsGot a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

How to give care and connect with others, with Scott Sallée tw: suicidal ideation Scott Sallée is senior manager, Sustainability and Social Impact at Dentsu and is one of the leading voices in LGBTQ+ advocacy in the UK. Scott has won various accolades in the DE&I space, all very well-deserved. This chat is wonderfully nurturing thanks to Scott's outlook on caregiving and boundaries. Scott also has a unique take on setting contracts within friendships, as well as working relationships, in order to better understand how other people function as well as to get your own needs met. Key takeaways include: Mentioned in this episode: The Nap Ministry Find Scott's on LinkedIn Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Ed Couchman is head of sales, UK & northern Europe, Spotify, and one of our industry's most prolific senior leaders. He's as well-known for his charity work as his professional life, including supporting NABS. Ed knows first-hand what mental wellness looks like, and what happens when serious mental health challenges arise. He's beautifully honest about how his family was affected by a mental health crisis and what he learned from the episode. Despite this, Ed is positive and practical throughout this uplifting conversation. Key takeaways: Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Tobi Asare is managing partner, head of growth, at OMD and someone who's passionate about creating opportunities for women and working parents Her book, The Blend, gives brilliant advice on how to find fulfilment at home and at work. Tobi is also an absolute joy to chat with. You will feel her smile throughout this episode. What a tonic, and proof that we can still feel hope and positivity even when tackling big career challenges. Key takeaways include: Find Tobi's book The Blend on Amazon. Watch Tobi's NABS Talk hon our Youtube channel Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

James Appleby is one of our industry's most senior figures. He's managing partner at Assembly Global and also chair of Fast Forward, NABS' flagship pitching training programme. In this positive and open chat, James discusses his experience of redundancy, and how the power of connecting with old and new contacts helped to lift him up during a period of uncertainty. James also talks about the importance of giving ourselves a break why sleep is so important. Key takeaways: To find out more about Fast Forward, visit nabs.org.uk/events/fast-forward To find out more about James, visit his LinkedIn profile Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Rob Mayhew makes hundreds of thousands of people laugh with his daily sketches lampooning agency life. As loved for his trademark woolly jumpers as he is for his relatable wit, Rob joins us to discuss creativity, mental wellness and being funny at work. Rob also recalls when he used NABS in the past to find like-minded flatmates. Happy to oblige, Rob. Rob is an absolute delight. His team at Gravity Road, where he works as a creative director two days a week, are lucky to have him. Key takeaways: It's OK to enjoy your job and it's also OK to moan about itIdentify your priority areas for wellness and happinessMaking good decisions for yourself is key to supporting yourself and those around you To buy a copy of Rob's day book, visit this link To sign up for Rob's free NABS Talk, taking place 1pm 9 November, visit the NABS website To enjoy Rob's sketches, visit @robmayhewcomedy on Instagram Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Marty Davies is one of adland's leading strategists and joint-CEO of Outvertising, the industry's advocacy group for LGBTQIA+ people in the industry. Marty is founder of Smarty Pants, a strategy-first creative consultancy specialising in customer activation and retention. Among Marty's many achievements is their role as Campaign magazine's first transgender columnist. In this podcast, Marty talks openly and vulnerably about the process of realising their identity and the need to take better care of their mental wellness. Key takeaways include: Check out Marty's Campaign column and find out more about Outvertising on their website. Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Chris Hayward is an adland legend and Campaign A-Lister, known across the industry. He's not just respected for his illustrious career as a media buyer though. Chris has also been searingly open about his own mental health journey, which saw him go from life and soul of the party, to bleak trauma and then to ongoing recovery, following a freak accident. In this podcast, Chris focuses on the everyday actions we can all take to check in on ourselves and on each other to help support our mental wellness. Key takeaways include: For a deeper dive into Chris's own mental health journey, watch our YouTube interview with him https://nabs.org.uk/why-speaking-out-about-your-mental-health-is-essential/ Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Our guest for this episode is Nicola Kemp, editorial director, Creativebrief and co-founder, DICE (Diversity and Inclusion at Conferences and Events). Nicola is one of adland's foremost voices in the space of diversity and inclusion, especially in regard to working mothers. Known throughout the industry for her sterling work as a journalist on titles including BITE, The Media Leader and Campaign, she's also often to be found hosting panels and events. Whatever she does, her MO is to lift up other women. Highlights from this episode include: Find out more about Nicola on LinkedIn The NABS Podcast is hosted by Louise Scodie and produced by Lewis Hill Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...

Bruce Daisley, workplace culture expert extraordinaire, is our very first guest on the NABS Podcast, and we're delighted to welcome him. Bruce is the host of the internationally acclaimed podcast Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat; author of Fortitude; and formerly VP EMEA of Twitter. Bruce knows workplace culture. Bruce is a brilliant, smart and engaging guest, especially when he speaks enthusiastically about the power of community when it comes to supporting our mental wellness. Community is central to NABS' mission and vision too, so we enjoyed a fascinating deep-dive into why community is so important and how you can create connections in your own life to bolster your mental wellness. Highlights from this episode: Find your tribe in adland by signing up to a NABS workshop at nabs.org.uk Find out more about Bruce, and sign up to his brilliant newsletter Got a question for The NABS Podcast? Support the Show. If you work in advertising, marketing or media, NABS is here for you. Through good times and bad, we’re here to get you through all of life’s issues, in and out of work. Want to build a network? We’ll connect you to the industry. Aiming to be your best work self? We’ll develop your skills. Need a listening ear, a friendly face, a confidential chat, some money advice or some help with your mental health? We’re here for that too. NABS is your charity, generously funded by the industry. Thanks for having our back; we’ve definitely got yours. Need A Bit of Support? Speak to NABS. Sign up to the NABS newsletter Follow NABS on LinkedIn Follow NABS on Twitter Follow NABS on Instagram Watch NABS Talks on YouTube Find out how you can support NABS...