Q Branch

Carolyn Hobdey is a multi-published author and leadership/culture change specialist known for naming the conversations workplaces avoid. She’s the voice behind The Midlife Mistress and author of All The Twats I Met Along The Way, De-Twat Your Life! and Redefining Selfish. Episode Summary Male allyship is usually framed as men supporting women. Carolyn flips the lens: what happens when men feel they can’t speak honestly at work, online, even at home, without being judged, mocked, or written off? Drawing on 25+ years in leadership, HR and transformation, she explores the growing mental load many men carry: the pressure to “say the right thing”, the fear of backlash, and the confusion of mixed messages around vulnerability and strength. Together, Jenny, Matt and Carolyn unpack why labels like “pick-me” can shut down important conversations, and how women can advocate for men without excusing harmful behaviour. The heart of this episode is simple (and powerful): curiosity, listening, and creating environments where humans can be nuanced—because culture only moves forward when everyone has a voice. What You’ll Learn • Why some men feel “there’s no safe way” to speak up, especially at work • How the “pick-me” label can silence advocates (and what to do instead) • The hidden cost of mixed messaging: “be vulnerable… but not like that” • How to support men without amplifying harmful behaviour • Why connection beats correction when culture is tense • How leadership stereotypes still reward the wrong traits • What “inclusive” looks like when men are included too • A practical way to build healthier workplaces: Carolyn’s SIMPLE model Guest Picks • Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team — Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/4puSRqh • Music: “Lost Without You” — Freya Ridings “Lost Without You” — Freya Ridings • Quote: “Feminist is my second favourite F word.” • Tool/Framework: The Chimp Paradox (mind management model) https://amzn.to/49I63mQ • Also mentioned: Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How to Fix It) — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic https://amzn.to/4suQwhB Connect with Carolyn • Website: The Midlife Mistress https://www.carolynhobdey.com/about-carolyn-hobdey/ • All The Twats I Met Along The Way (book) https://amzn.to/3L6twoy • De-Twat Your Life! (book) https://amzn.to/3LyOE6T • LinkedIn: Carolyn Hobdey https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynhobdey/ About Leading BOLDLY Leading BOLDLY is the podcast for SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who want practical strategies and real conversations that build bold brands and strong teams—hosted by Jenny Jarvis and Matt Clutterham of Q Branch. https://www.qbranch.consulting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis/

We talk about all we have learned about Leadership, the highs of wedding planning and the lows of clients who don't pay. Events this year: Clarity that Closes 1 Day Live - London - https://www.qbranch.consulting/event-details/clarity-that-closes-live-2026-london Clarity that Closes 1 Day Live - East Midlands - https://www.qbranch.consulting/event-details/clarity-that-closes-live-2026-east-midlands Clarity that Closes 1 Day Live - Online - https://www.qbranch.consulting/event-details/clarity-that-closes-online-2026 Mission Accelerator Live - https://www.qbranch.consulting/event-details/mission-accelerator-live-2026 Productivity App: https://www.qbranch.consulting/product/productivity-power-up-app Fusion Score: https://score.qbranch.consulting/fusion Book: The Bridge Across Forever By Richard Bach https://amzn.to/3MOMfp3 $100M Money Models - Alex Hormozi https://amzn.to/4j9qI6q Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara https://amzn.to/44HZE8B Music: Defying Gravity - Matt Copley https://amzn.to/3MOMyQJ Say It https://amzn.to/4qqFaJP Pure Imagination https://amzn.to/4j9reBo

Kevin Crawford grew up inside his dad’s architecture practice in Montrose, starting on the photocopier at 14 and eventually leading the firm through a major transition to 100% employee ownership. Today he runs Designing Success, helping architecture practice owners reclaim time, build stronger teams and design businesses that support their lives, not the other way round. Episode Summary What happens when your family name is above the door, the business runs on your shoulders, and your body finally says “enough”? In this conversation, Kevin Crawford shares the inside story of growing up in a family architecture firm, feeling trapped by legacy and responsibility, and the back injury that forced him to stop working 24/7 and redesign everything. Kevin unpacks how Crawford Architecture went from a traditional family-owned practice to a 100% employee-owned firm, why that decision protected both his dad’s legacy and his team’s future, and what it really takes to let go of control without walking away. He talks candidly about resentment, cashflow panic, missed family moments and the loneliness of being “the one” holding it all together – and the systems, mentors and mindset shifts that finally gave him freedom. If you’re a founder, family business owner or practice leader who’s ever wondered how to share ownership, protect your health and still move forward boldly, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn • How starting in a business at 14 shaped Kevin’s approach to leadership and legacy. • Why “just work harder” stopped working – and the back injury that changed everything. • The real emotional pressure of having your family name above the door. • How to think about succession planning years before retirement, not at the last minute. • What an Employee Ownership Trust actually is – and why Crawford chose 100% employee ownership. • The shift from reactive firefighting to data-driven resourcing, revenue targets and one- and three-year plans. • How founders can move from “doing everything” to building a team around their unique strengths. • The role of mentors, retreats and communities in breaking the isolation of practice leadership. • Why investing in your own health, wealth and self-development is a commercial decision, not a luxury. • How AI, systems and the Pilotes app are helping practices win back 7–10 hours a week. Memorable Lines • “I thought the answer was to go in at 4am and leave at midnight. My back proved me wrong.” • “For years I woke up thinking, ‘I don’t have time.’ Now my job is to design time.” • “Succession isn’t ‘one day when I retire’ – it’s a strategy for everybody’s future, including your family’s.” • “Owning 100% of the shares but 0% of your time is not freedom.” • “You can’t market well if you don’t even know which projects are actually good for you.” Guest Picks • Books o Traction – Gino Wickman https://amzn.to/48reIcW o Always Free: How to become financially free to live an inspired life – Jason Graystone https://amzn.to/4rUpU9J • Music o “Caledonia” – the lyric “my way is clear and I know what I’ll do tomorrow” as a reminder to keep going with conviction. https://amzn.to/4rKogY0 • Tool / Framework o Tiers of Freedom programme – Jason Graystone’s framework for financial, time and mental freedom. o Traction / EOS-style systems for bringing structure to how a practice runs. • Quote or mantra o “Your way has to be clear – and you have to know what you’ll do tomorrow.” (Kevin’s takeaway from Caledonia.) Connect with Kevin • Designing Success: https://designingsuccess.co.uk designingsuccess.co.uk • Crawford Architecture (Employee-Owned): https://crawfordarchitecture.co.uk Crawford Architecture • LinkedIn – Kevin Crawford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-crawford-a1516158/ About Leading BOLDLY Leading BOLDLY is the podcast for SME leaders and entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that are human, profitable and future-fit. Hosted by Jenny Jarvis and Matt Clutterham, each conversation dives into the real stories behind leadership – the pivots, the pressure, the courage and the practical plays that create real change. If this episode nudged you to rethink how you’re leading and what legacy you’re building, follow Leading BOLDLY, leave a quick review, and share this with one founder or family business owner who’s carrying too much on their own.

Most of us were taught more about test tubes than intimacy. In this conversation, Tatiana Ashborn shares how growing up scared of sex – and deeply under-served by traditional sex education – led her to start a sex and relationships podcast at just 17. What began as a lockdown project in her bedroom has grown into Dirty Talk, a show and social movement that now reaches millions, tackling everything from first-time stories and porn to shame, consent and long-term love. Tatiana talks candidly about failing at school until she found the BRIT School, the power of creative education, and how her family backed her when she chose the most taboo topic of all. She lifts the lid on building a podcast as a business; sponsorships, algorithms, burnout and why she became a certified sex educator to deepen her impact. At its heart, this is an episode about leadership: doing the work before you feel like an expert, sharing the messy middle in public, and turning curiosity into a bold, culture-shifting career. What You’ll Learn • Why so many people leave school scared of sex, not prepared for it – and what’s missing from traditional sex education. • How Tatiana went from struggling in an academic school to thriving at the BRIT School by learning in a way that suited her creatively. • The real story behind starting Dirty Talk at 17 – including imposter syndrome, “learning in public” and being the opposite of an expert at first. • Tactics she used to launch: pilot episodes with family, low-budget setups, and using lockdown as a creative sandbox. • How Dirty Talk grew into a TikTok and podcast phenomenon, and what actually makes content shareable in a crowded space. • The emotional weight of being “the sex person” publicly – and how she navigates boundaries, judgement and staying grounded. • Why she chose to become a certified sex educator and how that changed the way she shows up for her audience. • What younger audiences are actually asking about sex, relationships, porn and identity – beyond the headlines. • How to turn a taboo topic into a platform for leadership, advocacy and real-world change. Guest Picks • Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie https://amzn.to/43SnkXn • Music: “Someone Like You” – Adele https://amzn.to/48hg9cm • Quote: o “Screw it, let’s do it.” – Richard Branson o “You’re only given one little spark of madness and you mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams • Tool / Framework: o A ruthlessly used calendar and handwritten lists – planning everything out on paper so the creative chaos has structure. https://amzn.to/44qXutF Connect with Tatiana & Dirty Talk • Tatiana’s site: https://www.tatianaashborn.co.uk/ • Dirty Talk website & episodes: https://dirtytalkofficial.com/ • Dirty Talk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatianaashborn_/ • Dirty Talk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tatianaashborn_?_r=1&_t=ZN-91hPemnRNSw • Under The Sheets with Tatiana Ashborn and Friends (podcast): Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and major platforms. About Leading BOLDLY The Leading BOLDLY Podcast is where SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs sharpen their edge—and tell the truth. Hosted by Jenny Jarvis (NLP practitioner and Certified Personal Performance & Relationship coach) and Matt Clutterham (brand and transformation strategist), it blends intimate interviews with practical playbooks. Guests share the real stories behind the highlight reels—tackling hard-hitting topics and messy middle moments as openly as they discuss growth, brand, and leadership. Expect clear strategy, mindset shifts you can apply on Monday, and raw conversations that go beyond business to the human realities of leading teams and building a life you’re proud of. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo, back your vision, and lead with intent, this is your go-to companion for building boldly—one conversation at a time. Matt LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/ Jenny LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis/ Leading Boldly LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/108953952/admin/dashboard/ Leading Boldly Insta https://www.instagram.com/leadingboldlypodcast/ If this helped, follow the show and share it with one founder or parent who needs advice on how to talk about sex with their kids or manage it in their lives.

What if your phone served your life — not the other way around? Techless founder Chris Kaspar joins Matt and Jenny to unpack the thinking behind WisePhone 2 (a healthy, tool-only smartphone OS) and Sage, a UK kids’ iPhone with deep, multi-layered protections “safe out of the box”. We trace Chris’s journey from brand and filmmaking into mission-driven hardware/software, why he believes phones are “broken at the philosophy level”, and how dignity (not “kiddie” design) is the secret to teen adoption. We also get candid on fundraising, pricing pivots, and launching Sage in London — including an intimate, press-packed event at the Tate Modern. Expect practical strategies for parents, principles for leaders building humane tech, and a refreshingly honest look at the grind behind a purpose-led scale-up. What You’ll Learn • Why the philosophy behind mainstream smartphones (not the chips) drives unhealthy behaviour — and how to counter it. • The shift from minimal (8 built-in apps) to healthy (approved third-party tools, no social/games/explicit). • How Sage keeps teens’ dignity (iPhone UX, rebellious brand) so they’ll actually use it. • Why parental controls alone fail — and what “final-layer” protection looks like. • How to handle FOMO: creating small “opt-out” friend circles to tip culture. • Inside a lean, relationship-first UK launch at Tate Modern (and why the UK is ready). • Building with brand and ethos over patents — and why that’s the real moat. Practical Plays You Can Use Tomorrow • Audit the defaults: Turn off non-essential notifications; delete one addictive app; set greyscale at night. (Defaults aren’t designed for you.) • Create a family phone plan: Choose tool-only apps (maps, banking, transport), no social/games; trial it for 30 days. • Beat FOMO in a group: Agree a four-friend no-socials pact for a month; meet IRL weekly. • If you’re shipping product: Launch humbly; optimise pricing with real-market feedback; iterate in public. Memorable Lines • “The defaults aren’t for you — they’re for advertisers and investors.” 【 • “Phones aren’t broken at the hardware level — they’re broken at the philosophy level.” • “Kids don’t want kids’ phones. Dignity is the secret.” • “Take initiative. Do ten things, fix the three that miss.” Guest Picks • Book: Positioning by Al Ries & Jack Trout https://amzn.to/47PZuhb and Warfighting by A.M. Gray https://amzn.to/439IXSH • Music/App: Suno (prompt-based music creation) https://suno.com/invite/@mattclx • Tool/Framework: EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for lightweight, company-wide operating cadence https://www.eosworldwide.com/ • Inspirational Quote: Proverb 3:5 and “If you can’t live without it, maybe you should.” (On social media dependence.) Connect with Chris / Techless • WisePhone • Sage (UK). https://www.techless.com/ https://www.sagemobile.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sage.mobile/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-kaspar/ About Leading BOLDLY The Leading BOLDLY Podcast is where SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs sharpen their edge—and tell the truth. Hosted by Jenny Jarvis (NLP practitioner and Certified Personal Performance & Relationship coach) and Matt Clutterham (brand and transformation strategist), it blends intimate interviews with practical playbooks. Guests share the real stories behind the highlight reels—tackling hard-hitting topics and messy middle moments as openly as they discuss growth, brand, and leadership. Expect clear strategy, mindset shifts you can apply on Monday, and raw conversations that go beyond business to the human realities of leading teams and building a life you’re proud of. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo, back your vision, and lead with intent, this is your go-to companion for building boldly—one conversation at a time. Matt LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/ Jenny LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis/ Leading Boldly LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/108953952/admin/dashboard/ Leading Boldly Insta https://www.instagram.com/leadingboldlypodcast/ If this helped, follow the show and share it with one founder or parent who needs a healthier phone plan.

Guest: Lee Chambers — award-winning business psychologist, author of Momentum, and founder of Male Allies UK. He’s worked with brands like UBS, IKEA and Oracle, and is recognised for making allyship practical, well-being strategic and inclusion something people feel, not just hear. Episode Summary Lee Chambers’ story bends every stereotype. He grew up in Bolton, the first in his extended family to attend university, dropped out during a mental health wobble, returned to graduate, and saw his graduate banking role collapse in the 2008 crisis — prompting him to build a fast-growing e-commerce company from a spare room. He later lost the ability to walk and learned to walk again, which reset his valuaes and ultimately led him to step away from the CEO seat to become a stay-at-home dad — a leadership masterclass in disguise. Listening to women at a local toddler group opened his eyes to everyday inequities at work and sparked his mission: help men build the skills of allyship and redesign systems so everyone belongs and performs. He now equips leaders and teams to move beyond slogans to evidence-based, everyday behaviours that compound into culture change. What You’ll Learn • What “allyship” really means: working effectively across difference, not grand gestures. • Why inclusion fails without foundations — and how to build them. • Tactics any leader can use to make meetings fairer (and more productive). • How resilience, neurodiversity and identity can shape courageous leadership. • The surprising leadership lessons of being a stay-at-home parent. • Why men often hesitate to engage — and what helps them step in. • How allyship improves retention, applications and survey scores. • A first step any SME owner can take this week. Practical Plays You Can Use Tomorrow • Add a no-interruptions rule in meetings and nominate a rotating chair to enforce it. • Ask three colleagues: “What’s it really like working here?” Listen, capture themes, act on one item. • Audit one process (promotions, project allocation, networking invites) for hidden barriers; change one rule. • Bring frontline voices (depots, logistics, ops) into inclusion design — not just head office. Memorable Lines • “Discomfort is where the growth is.” • “Inclusion isn’t a plug-in; it’s foundations tied to real outcomes.” • “Allyship isn’t a stunt; it’s micro-moments that add up.” • “Your comfort zone is a padded jail cell.” Guest Picks • Book: Invisible Women — Caroline Criado Perez. https://amzn.to/3J15VVj • Music: “Harvest for the World” — The Isley Brothers. https://amzn.to/47pgXf1 • Tool/Framework: The Boston Matrix (applied with modern nuance). https://amzn.to/43C0gvE Connect with Lee Chambers • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leechambers-1/ • Website: https://leechambers.org/ • Book: Momentum — leadership and change lessons for uncertain times. https://amzn.to/47E8dCZ • _____________________________________________ • • ABOUT LEADING BOLDLY PODCAST: • Ready to take your business to the next level? Dive deep into the minds of successful • SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who have blazed trails and built thriving • brands. • Join hosts Jenny Jarvis, a seasoned NLP practitioner and Certified Personal Performance • and Relationship coach, and Matt Clutterham, a brand and transformation strategist • with a knack for elevating businesses of all sizes. • Join Jenny on Linkedin • Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis/ • Join Matt on Linkedin Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/ • • In this dynamic podcast, we unpack the stories, strategies, and mindset hacks that fuel success in today's competitive landscape. Whether you're seeking actionable tips, expert advice, or inspiration to push your boundaries, we've got you covered. • With a blend of intimate interviews, expert insights, and real-world experiences, The Leading BOLDLY Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, running a business and being a leader in life. • Get ready to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, challenge the status quo, and lead boldly towards your vision of success. • Tune in and join the journey as we explore what it takes to build BOLD brands and teams, one conversation at a time. Let's unlock the secrets to growth, resilience, and innovation together! • Are you ready to Lead Boldly? • Hit subscribe now and join us on this exhilarating adventure! • Find Out More and browse all the episodes here: • https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2-LSFfgANSgfDRsRzSP2QEDPQcNsB3_&si=PDM5_K7DdYTwERl_ • • If you are looking to positively grow your business and people head to Q Branch Consulting here: • https://www.qbranch.consulting/

In 2020, Audrey was falsely accused after a catastrophic motorway incident that led to her mother’s death. Eighteen months later, the case was dropped. She rebuilt—leaving a senior banking role, launching Smart Perspective, and shaping a practical, human approach to leading through crisis. This episode is about returning to work, redefining value, and starting again with intention. Key Takeaways • Returning after crisis: choose confidants intentionally; accept support without letting it define you. • Redefine value: today’s recognition is about adaptability, communication and collaboration—not just deliverables. • Lead in public: own mistakes, apologise if needed, don’t hide; save your energy for the people who matter. • Boundaries: every “no” protects a better “yes”. • Reinvention: it’s not all-or-nothing—blend what you keep with what you change. Tool / Book / Music • Framework (Tool): 3i Framework — Intention · Influence · Impact (clarify purpose, understand others’ context, land 1–3 key messages and one action). • Book: The Answer Is a Question — on using inquiry to think and lead better. • Music: “Panama” — The Avener (Audrey’s pre-session energy lift). Memorable Quotes • “Success is a team sport.” • “People are immune to pain—be thoughtful about where you share yours.” • “Every time you say no, you say yes to something else.” • “Make values a destination, not a cage.” • “You’re okay. Be you—for you.” Connect with Audrey LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreydaumain/ Website: https://www.audreydaumain.com/ Bio Audrey Daumain is an internationally recognised Executive Performance Coach and Corporate Communication Strategist with 20+ years’ leadership across finance, energy and luxury. French-born and globally minded, she began in London’s financial district in 1998 before senior roles at Barclays Private Bank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Edmond de Rothschild. In 2010 she founded Smart Perspective, a consultancy trusted by global leaders to navigate strategic transformations with clarity, confidence and candour. She blends organisational design, NLP and Non-Violent Communication to build leadership cultures that are human, impactful and sustainable. Her personal journey—resilience, trauma recovery, and thriving in male-dominated sectors—drives her mission to bring authenticity and humanity back to leadership. In April 2025 she was recognised by Sarah, Duchess of York, at the Women Changing the World Awards for transforming leadership cultures globally. Audrey also contributes to the CLAFG Women Leadership Academy in Geneva, which is piloting a FEDE-endorsed leadership certification. She is dedicated to helping women step into their power, lead with serenity, and advance with confidence and authority. _____________________________________________ ABOUT LEADING BOLDLY PODCAST: Ready to take your business to the next level? Dive deep into the minds of successful SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who have blazed trails and built thriving brands. Join hosts Jenny Jarvis, a seasoned NLP practitioner and Certified Personal Performance and Relationship coach, and Matt Clutterham, a brand and transformation strategist with a knack for elevating businesses of all sizes. Join Jenny on Linkedin Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis/ Join Matt on Linkedin Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/ In this dynamic podcast, we unpack the stories, strategies, and mindset hacks that fuel success in today's competitive landscape. Whether you're seeking actionable tips, expert advice, or inspiration to push your boundaries, we've got you covered. With a blend of intimate interviews, expert insights, and real-world experiences, The Leading BOLDLY Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, running a business and being a leader in life. Get ready to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, challenge the status quo, and lead boldly towards your vision of success. Tune in and join the journey as we explore what it takes to build BOLD brands and teams, one conversation at a time. Let's unlock the secrets to growth, resilience, and innovation together! Are you ready to Lead Boldly? Hit subscribe now and join us on this exhilarating adventure! Find Out More and browse all the episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2-LSFfgANSgfDRsRzSP2QEDPQcNsB3_&si=PDM5_K7DdYTwERl_ If you are looking to positively grow your business and people head to Q Branch Consulting here: https://www.qbranch.consulting/