The Beautiful Business Podcast

• Creative Courage at Work with Jo Hunter, Founder of 64 Million Artists

  When creativity becomes a daily practice, teams get braver, kinder, and more effective. In this episode, Jo Hunter shares how 64 Million Artists grew from a simple set of prompts into a national movement and why she’s now stepping aside to keep her own creative fire alive.About the GuestJo Hunter founded 64 Million Artists in 2014 with the ambition to unlock everyone’s creativity across the UK. The organisation runs large-scale participation campaigns (including the January Challenge, which reached around 360,000 people last year) and works with clients to use creativity for leadership, co-creation, and building inclusive, people-centred cultures. Jo discusses announcing her decision to step down as CEO, the team’s choice to close the public programme while leaving a rich resource bank, and her next chapter focused on facilitation and a book on creative courage.This Episode CoversLosing and finding creativity: how daily creative prompts helped Jo reconnect with herself during a tough periodFrom project to practice: the origin and growth of the January Challenge and what happens nextCreativity for wellbeing: why small, low-stakes acts build confidence, connection, and resilienceCulture by design: highlights from the Manifesto for Transformative Workplace Culture — everyday creativity, rest as a strategic lever (four-day week, August off), idea-sharing, and fun that includes everyoneRemote & hybrid reality: short prompts to warm up meetings and build connection onlineTrust → creativity (and back again): creating safe, people-centred environments that invite risk-taking and better ideasLeadership transition: stepping away with courage, closing with integrity, and making space for what’s nextAI & nuance: why creative, curious teams are essential for complex conversations (not polarised hot takes)A tiny challenge you can try: set a timer today; when it goes off, stop and look at the sky — notice what shiftsLinks64 Million Artists — https://64millionartists.com/The January Challenge — https://64millionartists.com/thejanuarychallenge/Manifesto for Transformative Workplace Culture — https://64millionartists.com/manifesto-transformative-workplace-culture/

  --------  

  53:00

  --------

  53:00
• Turning Loss into Leadership with Amelia Wrighton, CEO of Suicide&Co

  In this episode, Amelia Wrighton shares how personal tragedy became the driving force behind Suicide&Co — a charity she co-founded to support people bereaved by suicide. From identifying a huge gap in mental health provision to building a national counselling service from the ground up, Amelia’s story is one of purpose, resilience, and bold leadership.About the GuestAmelia Wrighton is the co-founder and CEO of Suicide&Co, a UK charity dedicated to supporting people bereaved by suicide. Since launching in 2020, Suicide&Co has grown rapidly into a national service offering free counselling, emotional support, and resources to help people navigate suicide-related grief.Drawing on her own lived experience and a background in the commercial sector, Amelia has built a data-driven, human-centred organisation that combines empathy with innovation. Her work challenges stigma, reimagines fundraising, and is helping to reshape how the UK responds to suicide bereavement.Trigger WarningThis episode includes discussion of suicide and suicide bereavement. Please take care while listening and use the support resources below if you need help.This Episode CoversFrom loss to leadership: Amelia’s personal story and what inspired her to create a national, tech-enabled service for suicide bereavement.Finding the gap: Why suicide bereavement support is critically underfunded and often overlooked compared to prevention.Designing for scale and humanity: How Suicide&Co blends person-centred care with operational efficiency and data-led decision making.Fundraising with purpose: Why connection, creativity, and community are central to the charity’s approach — from branded merchandise to major gala events.Ambition without burnout: How Amelia stays grounded while leading a fast-growing team tackling emotionally demanding work.The North Star: Suicide&Co’s mission to ensure everyone bereaved by suicide in the UK is connected with support within the first week.What businesses can do: Amelia’s advice for leaders on bereavement policies, compassionate workplaces, and doing pro bono the right way.Support & Resources (UK)Suicide&Co — counselling, emotional support, and resources for people bereaved by suicide. Visit suicideandco.orgSamaritans — free, confidential 24/7 listening. Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.orgShout — free, 24/7 text support. Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit giveusashout.orgSurvivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) — peer-led groups and support line 0300 111 5065. Visit uksobs.orgMind — guidance on coping with bereavement by suicide and finding local support. Visit mind.org.ukNHS Urgent Help — call 111 or visit nhs.uk/urgenthelp for mental health crisis support.If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.LinksWebsite: suicideandco.orgCounselling: Apply for supportSocial: LinkedIn – Amelia WrightonOrganisation: Suicide&Co on Instagram

  --------  

  53:07

  --------

  53:07
• Capitalism for Good: How Change Please Tackles Homelessness with Cemal Ezel

  Cemal Ezel is the founder of Change Please, an award winning social enterprise that helps people experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives through work, housing, and wrap around support. A former commodities broker, Cemal’s turning point came during travels in Vietnam, where a silent tea house showed him business and social good can coexist. Since 2015 he has built a job first pathway that combines professional barista training, London Living Wage roles, fast tracked housing, and in house therapy then partners with major employers for onward careers. Operating across the UK and internationally, Cemal’s mission is to use trade (not aid) so capitalism becomes a force for good.This Episode CoversOrigin Story & The Rocking Chair Test: How a 29 year old “midlife crisis” and a Vietnam epiphany led to Change Please.Job First Model: Why work, skills, and a living wage (~£31k) are the fastest route off the streets paired with therapy, bank accounts, and onward jobs after ~6 months.Housing Without Friction: How Change Please removes barriers by paying deposits, underwriting rent, and paying landlords directly while people get established.Quality First, Then Impact: Only ~4% of customers go out of their way for “good.” The strategy is to win the other 96% with uncompromised coffee and service.Scale & Partnerships: ~370 partner/concession sites in the UK, 11 owned sites in London, and operations in 8 countries plus hiring pathways with global brands.Beyond Coffee: Mobile service buses (with partners like Colgate, HSBC, David Lloyd) and a new AI prevention platform with Southwark Council and the Centre for Homelessness Impact.Culture That Cares: “Outcomes over targets,” fitting the model to the person (not the other way around), and using surplus (not profit) to fund impact.Seeing the Whole Spectrum: What homelessness really looks like from redundancy and sofa surfing to abusive situations and long term rough sleeping and why connection matters.How Businesses Can Help (Today): Hire trainees, offer work experience, buy from social enterprises, and start small but do it with authenticity.The Future of Work: Why AI will reshape purpose and employment and how Change Please is preparing to adapt.LinksWebsite: changeplease.orgLinkedIn: Cemal Ezel

  --------  

  59:08

  --------

  59:08
• Peter Docker on Leading from the Jumpseat, Love vs Fear, and Building Teams with Humble Confidence

  Peter Docker is a leadership teacher, author, and former Royal Air Force senior officer. After 25 years in the RAF (including flying world leaders at age 24 and leading air-to-air refuelling operations in the Gulf War), he moved into high‑hazard industry consulting before spending eight years working with Simon Sinek, co‑authoring the global bestseller Find Your Why. Peter’s own book, Leading from the Jumpseat, explores how leaders can create extraordinary opportunities by handing over control, building trust, and leading through love instead of fear. Today, Peter works with organisations across industries worldwide, helping leaders foster commitment, humble confidence, and belonging.This Episode Covers• Love vs. Fear: Why everything that truly matters is driven by one of these two forces—and how to spot fear’s four triggers (life, livelihood, status, reputation).• Commitment over Purpose: The power of turning values into a personal promise that inspires others, and why commitment drives culture more effectively than purpose statements alone.• Leading with Humble Confidence: How to be resolute on direction while admitting you don’t have all the answers, and how to tap into your team’s “collective genius.”• Belonging Unlocks Discretionary Effort: Why people go above and beyond when they feel safe, cared for, and part of something bigger.• Lessons from the Gulf War: How Peter united 200 people under one clear commitment, resulting in 479 successful missions—and what business leaders can learn from it.• From Noise to Signal: How to cut through distractions and make every role clearly connected to the bigger mission.• Checking Ego and Preventing Burnout: Why trusted advisors and rest are essential to sustaining good leadership.• Shifting Perceptions in Uncertain Times: How to reframe VUCA and AI from scarcity to possibility, unlocking creativity and innovation.• Creating Better Conditions, Even with a Bad Boss: What you can and can’t control, and how changing perceptions changes outcomes.• Practical Steps to Move from Fear to Love: Naming the trigger, reconnecting to what (and who) you serve, and embedding daily habits to reinforce commitment.

  --------  

  53:12

  --------

  53:12
• The Fifth Industrial Revolution: How AI Will Reshape Work and Society with Dan Sodergren

  About the GuestDan Sodergren is a futurist, keynote speaker, and media commentator specialising in artificial intelligence, the future of work, and technology’s role in shaping society. With appearances on the BBC, Channel 4, and numerous podcasts, Dan is known for making complex tech trends accessible and engaging. A passionate advocate for ethical AI and human-centred innovation, he is also co-founder of Your FLOCK, a values-based people platform using AI to improve workplace culture. Dan’s mission is to help businesses and individuals understand and embrace the seismic changes brought by what he calls the fifth industrial revolution—a shift that could free us from repetitive work and allow us to become more emotionally intelligent, creative, and purpose-driven.This Episode CoversFrom Gaming to AI: How Dan’s early passion for computer games led him into the world of artificial intelligence.Automated Interns, Not Terminators: Why he describes AI as “automated interns” and how that mindset makes it less scary and more useful.Beyond ChatGPT: A practical guide to using multiple AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more) to get the best results.The 3% Rule: Why only a small fraction of users pay for AI, what that means for data privacy, and why “free” often comes at a cost.The Future of Work: Why many current jobs may disappear, how AI could make us more productive, and why emotional intelligence and creativity will matter more than ever.Therapy, but Not Really: The dangers of relying on AI as a companion or therapist, and why human relationships and mental health support remain essential.A Beautiful Business Future: Dan’s vision of a world where AI frees us to be better parents, better colleagues, and better humans—where businesses measure success not just in profit, but in social and environmental impact.LinksWebsite: www.dansodergren.com For a free digital copy of Dan's book: https://forms.office.com/r/8F12yzcunTLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-sodergren-futureofwork/

  --------  

  1:00:39

  --------

  1:00:39

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The Beautiful Business Podcast

The Beautiful Business Podcast: Podcasts in Family