Episodes

  • Removing the Fear of AI with Allegra Patrizi

    Removing the Fear of AI with Allegra Patrizi
    Jul 9 2025
    A CEO founds and codes a startup to help execs get comfortable with AI.

    In this episode, Allegra Patrizi (former CEO Virgin Money, Aegon Netherlands, and now founder of Claridora AI) talks to host Charlotte Otter about helping executives get over their fear of AI, teaching herself to code, and making a difference in other people's lives.

    In her long career, Allegra has held a wide variety of senior positions, including group risk director, chief solutions officer, chief technology officer, as well as several non-executive board roles.

    She was the youngest person ever to make partner at McKinsey at the age of 29. Allegra has written cookbooks, competed in international horse riding, inventing competitions for Belgium, and has a pilot's license. She's currently writing a book on her management philosophy - Care, Dare, Share, Lead and Thrive with Heart, Mind, AI.

    In this episode, she talks about listening to fear (including overcoming the fear of coding), making a difference for others by building a legacy, her care, dare, share philosophy, and vulnerability in leadership.

    This is a fascinating conversation with a bold leader whose energy is driving her to make a difference for other executives in understanding and losing their fear around AI.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Follow Allegra on LinkedIn · Allegra's website · Pre-order Care, Dare, Share · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Speaking Out Against the Motherhood Penalty with Sabine Rath

    Speaking Out Against the Motherhood Penalty with Sabine Rath
    Jul 2 2025
    Fix the system, and not the women.

    In this episode, Sabine Rath (change manager, Agile leadership coach, keynote speaker, lecturer, and thought leader) talks to host Charlotte Otter about how Germany's maternity leave system creates the lifetime earning gap, how men taking paternity leave needs to become the norm (even CEOs, imagine!), and how we need to de-gender care.

    Sabine brings a specific lens on the German political and structural systems, but the topics are relevant for working women and men everywhere.

    Charlotte and Sabine are former neighbours in Heidelberg, Germany, and also two of the 8,6% of women with three or more children and in full-time work.

    The system isn't working - for women or for families - and it leaves women with a lifetime earning gap that is impossible to recoup.

    This is a trenchant, interesting conversation with a leader who is passionate about her topic, born out of personal experience, but with firm, critical eye on how the system needs to change.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Follow Sabine Rath on LinkedIn · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • Diversity fuels Innovation with Ernesto Marinelli

    Diversity fuels Innovation with Ernesto Marinelli
    Jun 25 2025
    Empathy and collaboration are the tools for our future.

    In this episode, Dr Ernesto Marinelli (Chief People Officer at Aareon Group, LGBTQ+ ally, and leadership expert) talks to host Charlotte Otter about the power of empathy, inclusivity, and collaboration in the age of AI.

    Ernesto's lens on how to lead means he focuses on employee success (not engagement - hooray!), outcomes not processes, and flexible working in order for companies and humanity to progress and prosper. Leadership for him is values and purpose driven.

    He talks about a shift of leadership from command and control (power) to coach and promote (experience) to purpose and autonomy (collaboration and trust).

    Ernesto describes what growing up as a gay man in a small village in Italy meant for him, being an immigrant to Germany, and his wish to represent for others as an LGBTQ+ leader.

    This is a heart-warming episode with a leader who embraces vulnerability, authenticity, and diversity.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Follow Ernesto on LinkedIn · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • Transgender Awareness and Support with Joanne Lockwood

    Transgender Awareness and Support with Joanne Lockwood
    Jun 18 2025
    Building inclusion through listening and learning.

    In this episode, Joanne Lockwood (founder and CEO of SEE Change Happen, a DEI practice with a specialism in transgender awareness) talks to host Charlotte Otter about living and working as a trans woman.

    Trans rights shifted in the UK with the Supreme Court ruling on 16 April 2025 that the legal definition of a woman was based on biological sex. Joanne, who holds a gender recognition certificate, describes her deep sense of disenfranchisement and loss of agency as a result of the ruling.

    Joanne is a leader and spokesperson, CEO and founder, consultant, and mentor. She embodies the epitome of transformative change in the field of Inclusive Cultures. As a transgender woman in her late 50s, she is uniquely qualified to infuse authenticity and experience into the realm of diversity and inclusion.

    She works with companies to help them shape their idea of inclusion and unlock the full potential of their workforce.

    Joanne speaks from the heart about her transition and how living as a woman shapes how she sees and acts in the world.

    This is a moving episode with a leader who's at the vanguard of the mission for transgender awareness and support.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Joanne's website · Follow Joanne on LinkedIn · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • Intersectionality and Resilience with David Nath

    Intersectionality and Resilience with David Nath
    Jun 11 2025
    A non-binary leader shares their experience of living diversity out loud.

    In this episode, chartered accountant and model David Nath talks to host Charlotte Otter about walking into a new job presenting as non-binary without first asking what the HR policy was. They talk about choosing themself, how their values form a key part of their reputation, and how collaboration fosters growth and performance at work.

    David is a chartered accountant, statistician, analytics lead, board member, a part-time model, and identifies as a first-generation immigrant as someone who is queer, non-binary and neurodiverse.

    This is a raw, real conversation with a person who's changing the face of leadership, putting their vulnerability and authenticity above being guarded and artificial.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Follow David on LinkedIn · Check out Diversecity Models · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Getting Systemic with Anita Lettink

    Getting Systemic with Anita Lettink
    Jun 4 2025
    Talking pay equity and transparency, AI in HR, and negotiating your salary.

    In this episode, Anita Lettink talks to Charlotte Otter about the EU Pay Transparency Directive and how its going to affect pay equity in the EU.

    Anita busts some myths about the pay gap, especially the pervasive notion that women aren't as good at pay negotiation as men are.

    She talks about what HR leaders need to know about AI (spoiler: it's the same for heads of communication) - and she advises job applicants on how to negotiate their next salary. Anita has some piquant opinions on the lack of real training for middle managers.

    Anita is a keynote speaker, a LinkedIn top voice, and one of the top 100 HR Tech influencers for 2025.

    This is chunky episode with some really great information from one of the top HR experts! Leadership needs to be addressed in a systemic way, as well as on a personal level.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Follow Anita on LinkedIn · Anita's website and links to all her books · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • Ask Me Anything with Charlotte

    Ask Me Anything with Charlotte
    May 28 2025
    Getting real about reputation, leadership, and the writing process.

    In this episode, Charlotte answers listener questions - ranging from who's your podcast inspiration, to what's your pet peeve in corporate communications.

    Charlotte also talks about reputation, leadership (good and bad), and gives some insights into her book-writing process.

    She also gives listeners some ideas on how and where they can buy We Need New Leaders and how they can take part in some of the book launch events.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Reputation as Currency with Vuyiswa M'Cwabeni

    Reputation as Currency with Vuyiswa M'Cwabeni
    May 21 2025
    Your reputation enters the room before you do, so act with integrity.

    In this episode, Vuyiswa M'Cwabeni describes how real personal growth and transformation happens outside the comfort zone. Having had to reassess her career completely after a shocking experience (which she describes), she ensures that she lives and works according to her deeply held values.

    Vuyiswa describes her life as the CEO of software company Bloon, keynote speaker, immigrant in Germany, and mother of two teenagers. She is also poised to launch her own skincare brand.

    She talks about how she has learned to love the 80:20 rule, how the representation of people of colour in leadership positions needs to become the norm rather than the exception, and the power of the pause. Vuyiswa also talks about challenging the status quo both quietly and out loud.

    This is a raw, real conversation with a leader who's never anything but authentically herself.

    This podcast is a companion piece to Charlotte Otter's book We Need New Leaders, published on 3 June by Practical Inspiration Publishing. Find it online or in all good bookshops. Follow Vuyiswa on LinkedIn · Follow Vuyiswa on Instagram · · Join the We Need New Leaders membership site · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders
    Show more Show less
    39 mins