The Human Risk Podcast

• Amy Watson on Violence Against Women

  How can we prevent violence against women?  And what role do men who don't engage in violence, have to play?This episode tackles a serious, but important topic.  Violence against women affects millions worldwide, yet too often, the focus is placed on how women can protect themselves rather than addressing the behaviors and systems that enable violence in the first place. This isn’t a problem women can solve alone—society as a whole, and particularly men, need to be part of the solution. But how do we move from awareness to meaningful change?Episode SummaryOn this episode, I sit down with Amy Watson, the founder of HASSL, an organization dedicated to tackling the root causes of female harassment and violence against women.We explore the traditional responses to these issues, why they fall short, and what needs to change. Amy shares her personal experiences that led her to launch HASSL and how her entrepreneurial mindset is driving her mission.We discuss how Amy is using a business model, rather than a charity, to fund and scale her impact. She explains her five-stage strategy, which includes education, community engagement, and innovative reporting technology designed to make it easier for victims to seek justice.She also highlights the importance of engaging men in the conversation, not as part of the problem, but as critical allies in creating safer spaces.Beyond the specifics of violence against women, this conversation offers lessons for anyone interested in advocacy, making a difference, or building a business with a social purpose.Amy’s story is one of determination, strategic thinking, and the belief that real change is possible when we tackle problems at their root.Guest BiographyAmy Watson is the founder of HASSL, a newly launched organization dedicated to addressing the root causes of harassment and violence against women. With a background in entrepreneurship and a degree focused on business innovation, Amy has always been drawn to projects that combine social impact with business acumen.Before launching HASSL, she worked as the COO of a health tech startup, where she honed her skills in building and scaling a mission-driven company. Her experience of being harassed in broad daylight—and the realization that no one stepped in to help—was the catalyst for founding HASSL.Rather than relying on traditional awareness campaigns, Amy is focused on using a business model to fund long-term solutions, including workplace training, school education programs, and cutting-edge reporting technology.She has rapidly grown a strong community, with over 250,000 social media followers and an ambassador network of 650+ individuals dedicated to making society safer for women.AI Generated Timestamped Summary [00:00:00] Introduction to the episode and why this conversation is essential.[00:01:00] Why violence against women is not just a women's issue—it's a societal issue.[00:02:00] Introduction to guest Amy Watson and the mission of HASSL.[00:03:00] Amy’s background in entrepreneurship and social impact.[00:06:00] The personal experience that led Amy to start HASSL.[00:09:00] Why traditional solutions focus too much on reaction rather than prevention. [00:12:00] The role of governments vs. private initiatives in solving societal issues.[00:15:00] The business strategy behind HASSL and why it’s structured as a social enterprise.[00:17:00] The importance of bootstrapping and keeping control over the mission. [00:21:00] The five-stage plan for HASSL’s growth and impact.[00:26:00] The broader implications of addressing harassment beyond public spaces. [00:29:00] The messaging strategy—why starting with strong advocates is key. [00:35:00] Understanding the spectrum of male allyship and how to shift behavior.[00:40:00] The challenge of balancing strong messaging with accessibility. [00:47:00] Addressing the “not all men” argument and why it misses the point.[00:56:00] Why men need to be part of the solution, not just observers. [01:02:00] The importance of scalable advocacy and shifting the messaging over time. [01:07:00] How workplace training can engage people who might not otherwise listen.[01:12:00] The need for a more inclusive and engaging approach to education. [01:20:00] Final thoughts on what needs to change and how listeners can help.LinksHassl website - www.hassl.uk

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  1:30:18
• Giles Oakley on The Art & Science of Tea

  What does tea have to do with human behaviour? A lot more than you might think.  On this epusoed, I'm exploring one of the world's most popular drinks and what we can learn from it.SummaryMy guest is Giles Oakley, a professional tea taster, entrepreneur, and long-time friend. Giles began his career at Tetley before co-founding Two Spoons Tea, a company dedicated to celebrating tea as the hero crop it is.Over the course of our conversation, Giles introduces me—and you—to the rich history and intricate science behind tea. From its origins in Camellia sinensis to the skill of blending, he reveals why tea is far more complex than we often think.Giles takes us behind the scenes of tea tasting and blending, offering fascinating insights into how colour, flavour, and texture are meticulously evaluated. We even do a live tea tasting during the episode! Along the way, Giles shares incredible stories, from the history of tea pillows to the traditions of tea production in Kenya and Darjeeling. His passion for elevating tea is contagious, and it shines through in the ethos of his company.Whether you’re a casual tea drinker or a full-on enthusiast, this episode has something for you.Learn about the art of crafting consistent tea blends, the delicate balance of tradition and innovation, and the personal philosophy that drives Giles’ business. And of course, don’t forget to grab a cup of your favourite brew while you listen—it’s the perfect pairing.Guest BiographyGiles Oakley is a professional tea taster and co-founder of Two Spoons Tea, a company devoted to celebrating tea as a hero crop.After starting his career at Tetley in 1998, Giles spent over 20 years in the tea industry, travelling the world and mastering the art of tea tasting and blending. With expertise honed in places like Kenya, India, and Malawi, Giles eventually decided to step away from corporate life and create his own tea brand.Two Spoons Tea focuses on high-quality, ethically sourced blends that honour the social and cultural importance of tea. Giles and his business partner Mark, are committed to using their tea-tasting expertise to provide customers with exceptional, sustainably sourced products.Their ethos revolves around making tea fun, accessible, and memorable while maintaining the highest standards of quality.AI Generated Timestamped Summary[00:00:00] Introduction to tea as a topic and Giles Oakley as the guest[00:01:00] Giles’ journey into the tea trade and the importance of tea in daily life[00:03:00] Tea’s global impact and its complex journey from bush to cup[00:06:00] How blending creates consistency in tea flavours[00:08:00] The art and science of tea tasting, including blindfolded tastings[00:11:00] Why tea is an underrated hero crop and its social significance[00:19:00] Starting Two Spoons Tea and building a company ethos[00:23:00] The difference between tea bags and tea pillows[00:27:00] Balancing tradition and innovation in the tea industry[00:32:00] Tea as a personal and cultural experience[00:43:00] Myths about tea, including caffeine content and hydration benefits[00:46:00] Ethical Tea Partnership and ensuring supply chain integrity[00:48:00] Giles’ most memorable cups of teaLinksTwo Spoons Tea websiteTwo Spoons Tea InstagramEthical Tea PartnershipCamellia sinensis plantEpisodes of the show featuring Professor Charles Spence on Sensory Perception and Sensehacking

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  49:17
• Pav Gill on Whistleblowing that works

  How do we create systems that encourage whistleblowing without incentivizing malicious reporting? Should we reward whistleblowers financially? Why is closure important, both for whistleblowers and the organisations they are whistleblowing on? Episode SummaryOn this episode, I speak with Pav Gill, the whistleblower behind the Wirecard scandal and former General Counsel for Wirecard’s Asia Pacific operations. But this conversation isn’t about Wirecard. Instead, we explore the broader dynamics of whistleblowing—beyond high-profile scandals—focusing on the personal and organizational challenges of speaking up. Pav shares insights into what happens after a whistleblower comes forward, why some struggle to move on while others thrive, and how organizations can encourage reporting without creating perverse incentives. We discuss the psychological toll of whistleblowing, the role of incentives in encouraging disclosures, and the importance of closure—not just for individuals but for entire organizations. Pav also introduces the Confide Platform, his end-to-end whistleblowing platform designed to improve the process for both whistleblowers and companies. With experience as both a whistleblower and a compliance professional, he offers a unique perspective on making whistleblowing work for all stakeholders. Whether you work in compliance, risk, legal, or HR or are simply interested in ethical business practices, this episode will provide fresh insights into a complex topic. Guest BiographyPav Gill is the founder and CEO of The Confide Platform, a whistleblowing tool that streamlines the reporting and management of corporate misconduct. He gained prominence as the whistleblower behind the Wirecard scandal, exposing a multi-billion-dollar fraud that ultimately led to the company’s collapse. At the time, Pav was General Counsel for Wirecard’s Asia Pacific operations. His decision to speak out was instrumental in bringing the case to light. Beyond his whistleblowing experience, Pav is a legal and compliance expert with deep knowledge of corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Before founding the Confide Platform, he held leadership roles, providing legal and strategic counsel in high-stakes corporate environments. His insights into whistleblowing—shaped by both personal experience and professional expertise—make him a leading voice on ethical corporate behaviour and whistleblower protections. 📌 Pav on LinkedIn: Pav Gill 📌 The Confide Platform: confideplatform.com AI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00:00 - Introduction to Whistleblowing Beyond Wirecard (2 min)Christian introduces the episode, explaining that this discussion moves beyond the Wirecard scandal to explore the deeper dynamics of whistleblowing. The conversation examines the challenges of speaking up, the psychological toll, and how to encourage ethical disclosures while avoiding perverse incentives. 00:02:42 - Pav Gill’s Journey After Wirecard (4 min)Pav shares what he has been working on since exposing Wirecard, including founding Confide, an end-to-end whistleblowing platform. He explains why most reporting systems fail to address both the logistical and psychological aspects of whistleblowing. 00:06:25 - Why Whistleblowing Is More Than Just a Hotline (7 min)Christian and Pav discuss why many organizations see whistleblowing as a simple logistical issue—install a hotline, job done. Pav explains why it’s much more complex, requiring cultural shifts, psychological support, and credible processes that give employees confidence to report misconduct. 00:13:14 - The Fine Line Between Whistleblowing and Malicious Reporting (6 min)Pav challenges the traditional narrative of whistleblowers as heroes versus corporations as villains. He highlights real cases where people use reporting mechanisms for leverage rather than ethical reasons and explores how organizations can differentiate between genuine concerns and bad-faith claims. 00:19:30 - The Role of Incentives in Whistleblowing (5 min)We examine the controversial topic of financial rewards for whistleblowers. Pav advocates for rewarding genuine whistleblowers who suffer retaliation but warns against systems that create "honeypots" encouraging opportunistic reporting. The discussion highlights global inconsistencies in whistleblower reward schemes. 00:24:40 - Why Recognition Matters Beyond Financial Rewards (6 min)Pav emphasizes that whistleblowers need more than just monetary compensation—they need recognition. He discusses how official acknowledgments, career support, and public appreciation can make a difference in how society perceives those who speak up. 00:30:00 - The Stigma of Being a Whistleblower and Career Consequences (7 min)We discuss why many whistleblowers struggle to find jobs post-disclosure. Pav suggests that companies should rethink how they view whistleblowers, treating them as valuable truth-tellers rather than troublemakers. 00:37:00 - Should Companies Hire Whistleblowers? (5 min)Christian and Pav explore whether companies should actively hire former whistleblowers, similar to how the cybersecurity industry recruits ex-hackers. We discuss how organizations can harness whistleblowers’ skills while ensuring a constructive work environment. 00:44:00 - Corporate Closure: How Organizations Handle Reports (6 min)Pav highlights how companies often prioritize moving on from whistleblower cases without fully addressing the underlying issues. We discuss how organizations can achieve proper closure—for both the whistleblower and the company—without leaving unresolved tensions. 00:50:00 - Why Some Whistleblowers Become Angry and Bitter (7 min)Pav explains why some whistleblowers become embittered, often due to a lack of justice, continued corporate wrongdoing, or personal retaliation. He suggests that structured post-whistleblowing support could help individuals move on positively. 00:57:00 - Lessons for Compliance and Leadership (5 min)The conversation turns to what compliance leaders and business executives can learn from whistleblowing cases. Pav underscores the importance of designing systems that align with how people actually behave, rather than how companies wish they would behave. 01:02:00 - The Confide Platform: Building a Better Whistleblowing System (5 min)Pav explains how The Confide Platform seeks to fix the flaws in traditional whistleblowing platforms by ensuring accountability, psychological safety, and transparency. He discusses the platform’s features, such as audit trails and dynamic case management. 01:07:00 - Final Thoughts: The Future of Whistleblowing (3 min)Pav reflects on his journey, the lessons he has learned, and his mission to improve corporate ethics. We close with a discussion on how organizations can create environments where people feel safe speaking up. Related Podcast Episodes📌 Dan McCrum on Wirecard – Insights from his book Money Men 🎧 👉   Listen here📌 Zelda Perkins on NDAs – Her campaign to limit their use after breaking her NDA to expose Harvey Weinstein 🎧 👉   Listen here📌 Professor Ludmila Praslova on The Canary Code – How improving conditions for neurodiverse employees benefits everyone 🎧 👉   Listen here

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  1:11:56
• Dr Hemma Lomax on The Edge of Possibility

  What is the edge of possibility and how can storytelling help us to find it?  My guest isn't a storyteller — she's a lawyer, working in compliance — but she's got some fascinating insights to share about how it can help us to effect change.  Or, in her words, to find the edge of our possibility.I've been wanting to get Dr Hemma Lomax on the show for some time, and I'm delighted that in this episode, I've managed to make that happen.SummaryIn a wide-ranging discussion, Hemma shares her unique journey from the UK courtroom to the forefront of corporate compliance in our latest episode. Her career has been marked by a commitment to understanding human behavior and using storytelling as a tool for transformation. We delve into her insights on curiosity as a driving force in compliance, the importance of breaking into influential spaces, and how her new podcast, "Unless," seeks to inspire action through stories of operationalizing good intentions.Our discussion spans the intricate dynamics of rule enforcement and the empowering role of embracing curiosity.Hemma gives her perspective on the hero's journey, not just in personal development but also within the professional landscape and parenting. We explore the transition from being a hero to becoming a guide, both as a parent and leader, highlighting the importance of fostering environments where others can thrive independently.Finally, we reflect on the legacy one leaves and the pursuit of growth and learning. From encouraging independent thought in compliance to inspiring connections over traditional teachings, Hemma provides a compelling narrative on how wisdom and critical thinking can reshape structures. Join us as we challenge conventional boundaries, celebrate the limitless journey of human potential, and examine the art of building a podcast audience through meaningful connections and continuous self-improvement.Guest BiographyDr Hemma R. Lomax is a passionate ethics and compliance professional focused on effective risk management at scale and coaching for compliance.She was formerly the VP of integrity, governance risk and compliance and associate general counsel at Zendesk, where she leads the global ethics and compliance function. Prior to Zendesk, she served as a senior corporate counsel in the integrity and compliance team at Snap Inc. and as a director in the global ethics and compliance management team at the Walt Disney Co.Hemma also served for just over a decade prosecuting financial fraud and corruption with the SEC. Hemma is also a British-trained barrister and has previously worked as parliamentary counsel for the UK government and as an adviser at the United Nations for the government of Guyana.Hemma is a strong advocate for integrity at work, active bystandership and DEI, and she has a PhD in human rights and the role of law in war.AI-Generated Timestamp Summary(00:02) Introduction to Hemma(06:09) Exploring Boundaries Through Storytelling(15:39) Empowering Self Through Archetypes(18:58) Guiding Through Leadership and Parenting(23:13) Inspiring Connections, Not Teaching(26:28) Encouraging Independent Thought Through Compliance(35:48) Challenging Boundaries With Radical Curiosity(47:30) Living Your Legacy Through Stories(50:53) Exploring Legacy Milestones Through Storytelling(55:10) Embracing Human Potential and Self-ImprovementLinks Hemma on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemmarlomax/Unless podcast 🎧 👉  https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/hemma-lomax-unless-podcast/The Dr Seuss story of the Lorax containing the quote that inspired Unless https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/nonptsource/Documents/TheLorax.pdf Great Women in Compliance podcast 🎧 👉 https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/great-women-in-compliance/Andrew Cordle - https://andrewcordle.com/Tony Robbins - https://www.tonyrobbins.com/David Goggins - https://davidgoggins.com/ 

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  1:03:09
• Duncan Mavin on Meltdown: The Collapse of Credit Suisse

  How does a major global bank keep surviving crises; until it doesn't?Episode SummaryOn this episode, I’m joined by Duncan Mavin, author of Meltdown: Scandal, Sleaze, and the Collapse of Credit Suisse.Duncan’s book dives deep into the bank’s dramatic downfall, uncovering decades of mismanagement, scandals, and cultural clashes that eventually led to its collapse. As someone with intersecting touchpoints with Credit Suisse throughout my career, I couldn’t wait to have this conversation.During our discussion, we explore the intricate dynamics that defined Credit Suisse’s rise and fall, from Swiss banking secrecy laws to the revolving door of executives who struggled to fix a broken culture. Duncan shares eye-opening stories, including the mind-boggling choices made by individuals who valued short-term gains over long-term survival.This is more than just a tale of one bank’s failure—it’s a masterclass in understanding human behavior, organizational dynamics, and the systemic issues that plague the financial industry.Whether you’re a financial services expert or a curious observer, this episode will leave you questioning how much has really changed since the financial crisis.Guest BiographyDuncan Mavin is a financial journalist and author. Over his 20-year journalism career, Duncan has worked at renowned publications like The Wall Street Journal, where he served as Finance Editor for Europe, and Bloomberg News.Before becoming a journalist, Duncan spent a decade as a finance professional and accountant.His latest book delves into the story of Credit Suisse, a firm he became intimately familiar with through his reporting and his earlier book on the Greensill scandal.Duncan’s insightful analysis and gripping storytelling bring to life the human decisions and cultural dynamics that contributed to Credit Suisse’s collapse.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary[00:00:00] Welcome and Duncan’s background as a financial journalist.[00:01:00] How Duncan’s first book on Greensill led to Meltdown.[00:02:00] Credit Suisse’s litany of scandals and its survival against the odds.[00:06:00] Swiss banking secrecy laws and their unintended consequences.[00:08:00] Cultural clashes between Swiss and American banking styles.[00:15:00] The short-term thinking and CEO turnover at Credit Suisse.[00:25:00] Archegos and Greensill—critical moments in the bank’s collapse.[00:29:00] How social media accelerated Credit Suisse’s final downfall.[00:35:00] The reaction in Switzerland to the collapse and the book.[00:42:00] The ongoing legacy of Credit Suisse and lessons for banking.[00:50:00] Reflections on regulation and the future of financial services.LinksMeltdown - https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/duncan-mavin/meltdown/9781035037469Pyramid of Lies, Duncan's book on Greensill — https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/duncan-mavin/pyramid-of-lies/9781529088922Duncan on Twitter/X - https://x.com/dumavThe Swiss government report on the collapse of Credit Suisse: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-103689.html

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  1:01:51

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