The Beautiful Business Podcast

• 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/

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• Season 3: Highlights with Chloe & Paul – Selling Without Selling, Leading with Care & Lessons from Creative Pioneers

  Welcome back to the Beautiful Business Podcast, brought to you by The Wow Company. In Part 2 of our Season 3 highlights, Chloe and Paul revisit even more standout conversations from across the series. From demystifying sales to the realities of succession, from happiness at work to building pioneering creative businesses, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and honest reflections.Episode HighlightsRyan Hall – Sales Coach & Author of Don’t Sell Ryan reframed sales as relationship-building, showing how curiosity, generosity, and trust are the true drivers of growth. His “don’t sell” mantra flips the script, proving that good business starts with being human.“Replace sales with relationship… it starts by talking to someone as a human, not a dollar sign.”Kelly Goodship – Managing Director, The Wow Company In a rare in-house conversation, Kelly opened up about stepping into the MD role and the fears, doubts, and imposter syndrome that came with it. Her candid reflections on succession, self-belief, and caring deeply for people resonated with leaders everywhere.“My fear is that I’m never going to do as good a job as you—but I won’t let that bottle up. I’d rather just call and talk it through.”Lord Mark Price – Former MD of Waitrose & Deputy Chairman, John Lewis Partnership Mark shared his lifelong mission to make work happier. He revealed the six fundamentals of workplace happiness, and why the relationship with your line manager is the single biggest factor.“None of the six things I talk about are expensive—yet they massively improve productivity and performance.”John “Sinx” Sinclair – Co-founder, ustwo Sinx pulled back the curtain on building a pioneering creative studio, balancing client services with breakout products like Monument Valley. He spoke openly about the tensions of diversification, the risks of seeing client work as ‘bread and butter,’ and why humility and simplicity matter most.“Clients don’t want to be the bread and butter—they want to be the cream cake. You have to love what you’re doing.”Practical TakeawaysRethink Sales Shift your mindset from closing deals to opening relationships. Trust and value come before transactions.Lead with Openness Succession planning isn’t perfect—but candid conversations and care for people create lasting trust.Happiness Drives Performance Pay and perks matter, but culture, recognition, and relationships are what make work truly rewarding.Balance Bread & Butter with Bold Bets Diversification can bring breakthroughs, but only if client service remains something you love—not just a means to an end. If you've enjoyed Season 3 so far, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share your favourite moments with us—we’d love to hear from you.

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• Season 3: Highlights with Chloe & Paul – Inclusive Culture, Olympic Wisdom & AI-Proofing Your Team

  Welcome to the Best of Season 3 of the Beautiful Business Podcast, brought to you by The Wow Company. This season has been full of rich conversations, eye-opening insights, and practical wisdom from leaders across the business, sports, design, and tech worlds.In this special highlights episode, hosts Chloe and Paul look back at the most memorable moments from the season—covering everything from high-performance cultures to inclusive leadership and the future of work in the age of AI.Episode HighlightsMo Kanjilal – Co-founder, Watch This Space Mo offered a fresh perspective on DE&I, encouraging leaders to look beyond box-ticking and see inclusion as a powerful driver of commercial success. Her insights on blind spots in leadership, silent feedback, and cultural listening left a lasting impact.“If 60% of people respond to a survey, the real question is—why didn’t the other 40%?”Tim Foster – Olympic Gold Medallist & Leadership Coach Tim’s experience with elite rowing teams translates directly into business. His episode explored how trust and accountability fuel high-performing teams, and why culture allows even the most junior voices to be heard.“Trust is the foundation that allows hard conversations to happen—without conflict.”Dr. Jon Finn – Tougher Minds Founder & Performance Psychologist Jon shared timely advice on how to “AI-proof” your business and build teams ready for the future. He outlined the new roles of innovators, automators, and elite cognitive performers—making the case that our brains are the most valuable asset in a tech-driven world.“There’s been a race to roll out AI—but no one’s been thinking about the humans.”Melanie Wendland – Co-founder, Sonda Collective Melanie introduced us to the world of decentralised, self-managed teams and explained how structure, not hierarchy, is key. Her real-world examples from global design projects and holacratic governance made this episode a standout.“We manage the process, not the person. That’s how self-management thrives.”Practical TakeawaysListen Like a Leader Creating an inclusive culture means paying attention to what isn’t being said—especially from those who stay silent.Build Trust for High Performance Whether in sport or business, trust is what allows teams to speak up, challenge each other, and raise the bar.Prepare for the AI Era Invest in the cognitive performance of your people. AI can handle tasks—but only humans can think, create, and lead.Structure Empowers Autonomy Self-managed teams don’t mean chaos. With the right systems in place, freedom and accountability can go hand-in-hand. If you’ve enjoyed this season so far, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share your thoughts or guest suggestions with us—we’d love to hear from you.

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• Retrain Your Brain: How to Thrive in the AI Revolution with Dr. Jon Finn

  About the GuestDr. Jon Finn is a renowned expert in performance psychology, leadership, and behaviour change. With over 20 years of experience working across elite sport, education, and business, Jon is the founder of the award-winning Tougher Minds consultancy and author of the best-selling books The Habit Mechanic and Train Your Brain for the AI Revolution.Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and behavioural science, Jon helps individuals and organisations build sustainable habits, boost productivity, and thrive under pressure. His pioneering work focuses on developing "habit mechanics" a practical framework that empowers people to better understand their brains, change unhelpful behaviours, and unlock peak performance.Through his extensive work with C-suite leaders, educators, elite athletes, and global businesses, Jon has positioned himself at the forefront of brain-based leadership and AI-readiness. His mission is clear: to future-proof people and organisations by helping them cultivate brain state intelligence and create cultures that support elite cognitive performance in a rapidly evolving world.This Episode CoversThe Power of Learning: Jon reflects on his own journey from struggling academically to becoming an expert in how people learn, adapt, and perform under pressure.What Makes or Breaks Performance: From professional sport to business, Jon explains why psychology and habit formation are more critical than talent or knowledge alone.Understanding Brain States: Discover the “three brain states” framework—recharge, medium charge, and high charge—and how balancing them is the key to health, happiness, and high performance.Brains Before Bots: As AI reshapes the workforce, Jon argues that your biggest asset isn’t your tech—it’s your people’s habits. Businesses must invest in helping their teams become AI-proof.The Habit Mechanic Framework: Learn how simple, science-based routines can radically improve sleep, stress, focus, and leadership.Why Knowing Isn’t Doing: We all know what we should do, but Jon shares how to actually make those changes stick.The Future of Work: From upskilling to creating brain-smart cultures, Jon lays out a roadmap for how leaders can help their organisations thrive through the AI transformation.LinksWebsite: Tougher Minds Free resources: Train Your Brain for the AI Revolution Books: The Habit Mechanic Social Media: LinkedIn

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• The SaaS Shift: Strategies for Future Proofing Your Agency with John Readman

  About the GuestJohn Readman is a trailblazing entrepreneur and CEO with over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, martech, and scaling SaaS and agency businesses. As the founder of Modo25 and creator of ASK BOSCO, John is revolutionising how brands and agencies harness performance data to drive sales and optimise ad spend. Having worked with global giants like ASOS, Pepsi, BMW, Superdry, Honda, HP, Toyota, and Vistaprint, John has a proven track record of helping businesses amplify their online presence and e-commerce performance. His visionary leadership and commitment to innovation are at the heart of Modo25’s mission to reshape the digital marketing landscape.John pivoted from owning an agency to creating a SaaS product to address inefficiencies in client reporting and media planning, leveraging his experience in scaling agencies. He developed ASK BOSCO, an AI-driven analytics platform, to provide brands and agencies with actionable insights, benchmarking, and forecasting tools, ultimately enabling smarter growth strategies and better data utilisation.Dynamic and forward-thinking, John combines strategic expertise with a relentless drive to deliver results, cementing his reputation as a leader in marketing technology and performance-driven solutions.This Episode CoversSimplify Complex Topics: When approaching overwhelming subjects like digital marketing or SaaS (Software as a Service), breaking them down into simpler, more approachable ideas can make them easier to understand and implement.Transitioning Business Models: Moving from a traditional agency model to creating scalable software products can be challenging but offers opportunities for innovation and growth. Success requires careful planning and execution.Harnessing AI for Analytics: Artificial intelligence can transform business analytics by connecting various data points, providing competitive benchmarking, and optimising spending strategies for better decision-making.Prioritise Workplace Culture: Fostering a people-focused environment contributes to business success. Creating an exceptional workplace can improve employee satisfaction and attract top talent.Leveraging Collaborations: Building strong partnerships or collaborations can provide crucial support, whether financial backing, expertise, or shared vision, to help achieve strategic business goals.Integrating Passion with Work: Combining personal interests with professional goals can lead to fulfilling projects that align purpose and profit, like charitable endeavors or activities that build meaningful connections.R&D enquiries: Head hereLinks:Website: Modo25Website: ASK BOSCOSocial media: LinkedIn

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